American survey reveals 99% firms access Internet

Internet access for lawyers in the US is nearing 100%, according to asurvey conducted by the American Bar Association.

The survey found that 99% of respondents access the Internet from their law firms; their most common on-line activity is general legal research, followed by non-legal research and communication with clients and colleagues.

The survey polled lawyers from solo, small, medium and large firms and corporate law departments.

In addition to access from the office, 85% reported that they use a computer when away from work, with 41% enjoying remote access to their firms' internal systems.The number of law firm Web sites has increased since the previous year's survey, the ABA found; 71% of large firms and 32% of small firms reported having a Web site, compared with 58% and 11% a year before.

There has also been an increase the use of computer calendars, calculators and databases.

More than 40% of large firms and 15% of small firms said the Internet had expanded their firm's practice areas, especially in the areas of technology and intellectual property law.

Victoria MacCallum