Florida Bar Tech Helpline

Step 1 of 2: Legally Necessary

The Florida Bar requires each member seeking assistance to sign a Waiver & Release. If signing by mobile device, choose option to “Sign With Mobile Browser”, there is no need to download an app. You will be redirected to the Tech Helpline homepage after signing.

Tech Helpline in Bar News

Florida Bar Resources

The Florida Bar is interested in providing remote computer, software, and related technology support to members of The Florida Bar to assist them with the competent practice of law in service to the public.

LawTech Partners will provide basic tech support and high-level application support to members. Adriana Linares is a skilled trainer and technology specialist who understands the needs of law firm users and their profession-specific confidentiality requirements.

While the Tech Helpline is geared toward solo and small firm members of the Florida Bar, it is available to all Florida Bar Members in good standing.

Member should understand that this is not an emergency service. Emergency issues related to court filings with immediate deadlines, or technical emergencies will not be addressed. Members will not contact the Tech Helpline for emergency software issues, hardware or device failures, interruptions of service, or a loss of power or internet services (they should contact the related service provider).

Members will provide contact information, including Florida Bar number and sign an online Waiver and Release before the consultation begins.

They will provide a clear, specific description of the problem or request including any error messages received as well as a description of the device (desktop or laptop, printer, scanner/copier, etc.).

Members will have acknowledged that, as the attorney, they have the ultimate responsibility to take reasonable steps that by contacting the Helpline, confidentiality or other issues (4-5.3) are not created. Members have sole responsibility to ensure compliance with all HIPPA related laws or statutes.

Before a remote session begins, members should ensure that any confidential information, data or images are not visible to LawTech Partners.

While members will be able to contact the Tech Helpline via email, chat, or phone the best way to get help will be to schedule an appointment. Due to staffing limitations, phone and chat support may not be immediately available, an appointment will better guarantee service. Members will be required to sign a Waiver & Release before assistance is rendered.

The Tech Helpline should be able to address and support most of the typical software, applications, services, and hardware used by law firms including but not limited to:

Basic troubleshooting
Basic connectivity support
Operating system support for Windows, MacOS
Mobile devices and apps
Support and troubleshooting for home offices, road warriors and remote offices
Basic support for common website builders (WordPress, Google Sites, Wix, SquareSpace etc.)
Assist with technical set up and issues with audio and visual configuration for remote meetings
Application support – including core business applications such as Microsoft Office, document storage, syncing and management services such as Drobox and ShareFile, PDF manipulation tools
Common internet browsers
Microsoft Word – Formatting, page numbering, working with documents from outside sources, creating a table of authorities or a table of contents, formatting questions and issues
Microsoft Excel – Printing spreadsheets, creating formulas, using templates
Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar – managing meetings, efficiency tips, creating email Groups, sharing calendars
Microsoft PowerPoint – creating presentations, editing existing presentations, basic questions re using PowerPoint in the courtroom or remote hearings
Microsoft Teams – basic training and set up
Adobe Acrobat or Nuance PDF Pro – converting PDFs to Word, Bates stamping, redacting, manipulating PDF files

The following types of issues will not be addressed (this is not an all-inclusive list) and LawTech Partners may refuse service at any time.

Issues NOT addressed by the Tech Support Helpline:

Infrastructure hardware: servers, firewalls, telephone systems, fax machines, networked printers and scanners
High-level technology issues such as ransomware attacks, malware or antivirus issues, hardware failures (servers, hard drives, etc.)
LawTech Partners may attempt to solve basic questions for legal-specific services but will also point members to call up on those who provide their own support to customers (Rocket Matter, Clio, Thompson Reuters, Lexis, Fastcase)
Practice management questions typically fielded by Legal Fuel may be diverted to Legal Fuel practice management advisors

LawTech Partners will attempt to keep all calls to a limit of 30 minutes. For pre-scheduled appointments, the set time will be 30 minutes. There will be no limit to the number of calls a member can make, but no more than one per day. A member may address any number of topics during their allotted time.

Remote meetings will be held via LawTech Partners’ Zoom account. Remote viewing and desktop sharing will begin upon the member’s consent. No recordings will be made of the sessions.

A lawyer’s assistant or other staff person employed by the lawyer may use the Tech Helpline to directly benefit the Florida Bar member or their practice. They will be required to sign and submit a Waiver & Release.

LawTech Partners will keep records of all requests for assistance. Information gathered will be securely stored by LawTech Partners and will be limited to name, email, phone number, Florida Bar number, description of issue, the outcome, and time to resolve.