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| DL Drafting Libraries | |
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Of all the items in the lawyer’s arsenal, none are more widely used than document assembly tools. Each day attorneys and other legal professionals all over the world draft documents. Many still do it the old-fashioned way, cutting and pasting from old forms to a new version. All this trouble could be saved with DL Drafting Libraries 8.0 from Attorney’s Computer Network. The DL Drafting Library is simple to use and very easy to install. Unlike attorneys who cut and paste from document to document, DL users easily can create new and individualized drafts. The systematic process walks you through questions, and even gives you hints as to best answers. I prepared a contract for the sale of a condominium unit as a sample. At the start of the process, the program asks where you want the document saved. You can place it in your client’s computer folder, assuming you have created one. You then are asked a series of questions, and in no time, the document is complete. The program prompts you to answer questions in a number of easy-to-use formats. In less than 15 minutes or so, your document is complete. The documents are all state specific and reflect the case law, statutes and most common practices of each jurisdiction. DL supports every state, except Louisiana, and also has a series for the District of Columbia. In addition to the regular drafting libraries, DL has a multi-state version, so you can use forms from several jurisdictions. Single-state versions of the library start at $250. The program works with all of the major word processing systems. Updates are provided free for the first year, and for a small charge thereafter to keep your library current. Any documents created with DL can be retrieved from within your own word processing system, making it easy for your support staff to use. The program is quite easy to use, and my test document yielded a very professional output. Only some minor tweaking was needed to bring it up to par. I recommend the product without hesitation, but remember to always look over the output and tweak necessary areas before presenting a final version to your clients. |
Attorney’s Computer Network Inc. Price: $250 per library. A full set of a state’s libraries costs $2,500. Reviewed by Alan Pearlman, a trial attorney and computer consultant in Chicago. In addition to his active practice, Pearlman writes “The Electronic Lawyer,” a nationally syndicated column. PROS CONS VERDICT |
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