It is imperative that as members of the State Bar of Arizona we are provided with the technology leadership to face the professional, business and social implications of the digital information revolution that we are living through. Daily we see hardware and software innovations that save time and improve the quality of our work product. The Internet is literally providing the information backbone connecting any individual or company in the world to any other. The global village is a reality that changes the rules of business and the rules relating to the practice of law. It will have a profound impact upon us for decades.

This transition to an "age of networked intelligence" will experience the same growing pains that plagued the change from the rural economy to the manufacturing economy. Individuals will be displaced, certain types of businesses will no longer exist and new legislation and the disregard of an individual's right to be left alone will threaten the privacy and First Amendment freedoms we experience.

But how can solo practitioners and lawyers in small and large firms strategically plan for these rapid changes? As we transition into this digital economy, what role should the State Bar play? As a dues-paying member of a voluntary or mandatory bar association, shouldn't you expect the association to provide the leadership and educational benefits to assist in strategically planning how to incorporate technology changes into your practice?

In other words, "Show me the State Bar technologoy benefits!" Well, here they are.

Primary Arizona law and CLE books and manuals - The State Bar has partnered with LOIS (Law Office Information Systems), Inc. to publish Arizona caselaw, statutes, administrative decisions and court rules on CD-ROM or the Internet for approximately $50 a month. A complete collection of Arizona CLE books and materials will be offered on CD-ROM or the Internet for approximately $60 a month.

WWW State Bar site or "virtual legal community" - The WWW is fast becoming a reflection of society as businesses and individuals are setting up sophisticated commerce sites to service their customers. The State Bar's first generation WWW site (www.azbar.org) was no exception. It now offers articles from Arizona Attorney online, links to sections and committees of the State Bar, an attorney resource section, law-related links, assistance on how to find a lawyer and other resources.

The second-generation site provides a searchable member directory for clients and lawyers with an enhanced biographical profile for attorneys who want this; free searchable access to ethics opinions; group computing features for sections and committees such as online discussion forums, listservs and newsgroups; and an e-mail forwarding feature.

The e-mail forwarding feature permits an attorney to have a permanent e-mail address (such as Michael.Arkfeld@azbar.org). The address can be placed on business cards and stationery, and even though you may change your Internet provider your e-mail address will remain permanent. Other innovations include the State Bar becoming the authenticator for digital signatures as electronic filing and other legal commerce functions move online.

CLE technology programs and articles - The bar offers numerous technology seminars and annual conference programs on technology. Some of the most popular programs are the monthly Internet hands-on basic training and legal and factual research courses. They have been well received in Phoenix, Tucson and a number of outlying communities.

One of the most significant technology conferences was the Internet conference held in November 1997 at the ASU College of Law. This joint annual conference focused on the Internet, the First Amendment and privacy. Some of the country's top law school professors spoke and published original papers on the impact of the Internet on the legal system.

Many substantive technology articles have been published in Arizona Attorney magazine for members' benefit.

Justice system technology voice on behalf of the members - The State Bar for the past several years has consistently provided a voice into the judicial, legislative and executive branches of the government, facilitating technology improvements for the justice system. Whether it is free access to court data or the infrastructure for electronic filing, the State Bar, through its members, is providing a strong and consistent voice to truly enhance access to justice for its citizens.

Some of the significant ongoing projects include:

Electronic Filing< - The State of Arizona has been targeted by several companies such as Microsoft, West Group, Lexis and others to facilitate electronic filing on a statewide basis. The Arizona Supreme Court has just budgeted $120,000 to assist in the implementation. Members of the State Bar are intricately involved in the implementation of this project.

Maricopa County Technology Resource Center - For the past year the bar has been laying the groundwork along with the Maricopa County Bar Association and the court to provide a hands-on technology and business center located in the Maricopa County Superior Court.

Online educational opportunities - In the near future, we will see significant online educational opportunities for members using video, audio, text and graphics. Whether you live in Flagstaff, Tucson or Yuma, long-distance Internet learning will bring legal information to your desktop.

The practice of law is fundamentally changing, and we must change with it. The virtual law office will have no permanent physical location, but will exist electronically wherever the legal professional is located. Competition in this new digital age will intensify, and the law practice will lose its physical boundaries, resulting in a global law practice.

The State Bar has a vital role to play in ensuring that the justice system infrastructure is properly built and its members are provided the educational and other resources to compete effectively on a global basis. The State Bar, through the leadership of its executive director, Stuart Forsyth, is showing me the technology benefits to assist in this transition.