By Julie Bays, OBA Management Assistance Program Director

With the holidays here, it’s a good time for a little reflection. Don’t think about billable hours or resolutions just yet. Instead, consider whether your law office tech habits landed you on the naughty list or the nice list this year.

Nice List:

You’ve made a conscious effort to keep your law practice secure and efficient through smart technology choices. By using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication, you’re actively protecting sensitive client information from unauthorized access. Storing client documents in secure, encrypted systems rather than relying on email attachments helps safeguard confidential data and makes retrieval more reliable.

Your willingness to try out AI tools shows you’re open to innovation, but you don’t take shortcuts. You consistently verify citations, review AI-generated drafts with a critical eye, and always prioritize client confidentiality. Regularly backing up your data ensures that, if technical issues arise, you’re prepared to restore files quickly and continue working with minimal interruption. You’re not just using technology; you’re managing it responsibly, making your practice resilient in the face of unexpected challenges.

Naughty List:

Convenience sometimes wins out over security: reusing passwords may save time, but it puts your accounts at risk of being compromised. Those software update reminders that get postponed indefinitely mean your systems might be vulnerable to bugs or cyberattacks that could have easily been prevented. If you copy and paste AI-generated text without checking sources, you risk sharing inaccurate information or even breaching ethical standards.

Relying on a single digital calendar without a backup exposes you to the possibility of missed deadlines or appointments if something goes wrong. And if your internet connection fails, lacking a contingency plan could leave you unable to access important files or communicate with clients, essentially grinding your work to a halt until the problem is fixed. These habits may seem minor but addressing them now can save you a lot of trouble in the new year.

The good news? Most lawyers land on both lists at separate times. The end of the year is simply a chance to notice where minor changes could make your practice more secure, more efficient, and easier to manage in 2026.

If you’re not sure where to start, the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Management Assistance Program (MAP) is here to help. MAP offers free 45-minute consultations for OBA members by Zoom, phone, or in person. Whether you want to talk through technology, office systems, billing practices, or AI use, a short conversation can help you move a few items from the naughty list to the nice list before the new year begins.

Warm wishes for a safe and restful holiday and here’s to a tech-smart start to 2026.