Publications

Sensei’s principals have written 16 books on IT, Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics published by the American Bar Association. Sharon and John are frequent authors and speakers on information security, legal technology and digital forensics throughout the country.

They lecture around the globe and have been interviewed by ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Reuters, many newspapers and even Oprah Winfrey’s O magazine.

THE 2018 SOLO AND SMALL FIRM LEGAL TECHNOLOGY GUIDE: CRITICAL DECISIONS MADE SIMPLE

February 7, 2018

Authors: Sharon D. Nelson Esq., John W. Simek and Michael C. Maschke

ISBN:978-1-64105-134-7

Price: $89.95

The only book of its kind that helps solo and small firm lawyers find the best technology for their dollar, this annual guide provides the most current and clearly presented information and recommendations on computers, servers, networking equipment, legal software, printers, security products, smartphones, tablets, and anything else a law office might need.

Topics include:

Updated recommendations on hardware and software for PCs and Macs
Securing your data (even from our own government)
The latest in social media—from an acknowledged social media expert
The evolving smartphone market, and which ones work best for lawyers
The security issues and benefits of cloud computing
Favorite utilities and apps for lawyers
The direction of legal technology in 2018, and more

Purchase the book here

THE 2017 SOLO AND SMALL FIRM LEGAL TECHNOLOGY GUIDE: CRITICAL DECISIONS MADE SIMPLE

January 17, 2017

Authors: Sharon D. Nelson Esq., John W. Simek and Michael C. Maschke

ISBN: 978-1-63425-817-3

Price: $89.95

This annual guide is the only one of its kind written to help solo and small firm lawyers find the best technology for their dollar. You’ll find the most current information and recommendations on computers, servers, networking equipment, legal software, printers, security products, smartphones, tablets, and anything else a law office might need. It’s written in clear, easily understandable language to make implementation easier if you choose to do it yourself, or use it in conjunction with your IT consultant. Either way, you’ll learn how to make technology work for you.

Topics include:

Updated recommendations on hardware and software for PCs and Macs
Securing your data (even from our own government)
The latest in social media—from an acknowledged social media expert
The evolving smartphone market, and which ones work best for lawyers
The security issues and benefits of cloud computing
Favorite utilities and apps for lawyers
The direction of legal technology in 2017

Purchase the book here.

Book Review: John Heckman
Book Review: Joanne Randa
Book Review: Charles Rothermel
Book Review: Michael Spekter
Book Review: Julie Gerock
Book Review: Sofia Lingos
Book Review: Alan Nye

Locked Down: Practical Information Security for Lawyers, Second Edition

March 9, 2016

Authors:
Sharon D. Nelson, David G. Ries, John W. Simek

ISBN: 978-1-63425-414-4

Price: $79.95

In the four years since the initial publication of Locked Down, data security has exploded as a concern for law firms. At the time, many attorneys were not paying attention to data security. But with the growing number of data breaches, no attorney can afford to ignore these developments. With quickly advancing technology to prevent, detect and respond to intrusions and ever-evolving threats, keeping up on the latest information you need to protect your confidential data can be a daunting task.

The second edition of Locked Down is the answer to this challenge. Authors Sharon D. Nelson, David G. Ries, and John W. Simek are recognized experts in cybersecurity, and their lectures draw standing-room-only crowds. They give you the data security basics you need in simple, easy-to-understand language. You can manage your risk by following the practical advice provided in this book. Topics include:

The latest news in the data breach world, including true stories of breached law firms
The ethical issues of data security
The need for a comprehensive approach to security
The dangers of using laptops, tablets, and smartphones on public Wi-Fi
Strong passwords and the growing need for two-factor authentication
Encryption, which is now cheap, fast and simple –and may be ethically required
The elements of a good incident response plan
The future of information security

Purchase the book here.

Review by Molly Peacock of Rees Broome, PC

THE 2016 SOLO AND SMALL FIRM LEGAL TECHNOLOGY GUIDE: CRITICAL DECISIONS MADE SIMPLE

January 28, 2016

Authors:
Sharon D. Nelson Esq., John W. Simek and Michael C. Maschke

ISBN: 978-1-63425-392-5

Price: $89.95

Topics include:

Updated recommendations on hardware and software for PCs and Macs
Securing your data (even from our own government)
The latest in social media—from an acknowledged social media expert
The evolving smartphone market, and which ones work best for lawyers
The security issues and benefits of cloud computing
Favorite utilities and apps for lawyers
The direction of legal technology in 2016

Purchase the book here.

Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers

March 10, 2015

Authors:
Sharon D. Nelson Esq., John W. Simek and David G. Ries

ISBN: 978-1-63425-058-0

Price: $69.95

Encryption is now a generally accepted security measure for protecting confidential data – both when stored and transmitted. Data breaches have become a common occurrence, and hackers cannot only get confidential details about a case or deal, but steal your client’s information as well. Fortunately, easy-to-use options are available today for encryption. It has now reached the point where all attorneys should generally understand encryption, have it available for use when appropriate, and make informed decisions about when encryption should be used and when it is acceptable to avoid it. Accomplished authors Sharon D. Nelson, David G. Ries and John W. Simek will cover everything you need to know about encryption, breaking down the myths of security and putting the power to protect sensitive data in your hands. Topics include:

The basics and history of encryption
The ethics of encrypting confidential information
A layman’s view of encrypting technology
Easy to use options for encrypting data on devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones
Encrypting data on the go (including wireless and cloud technologies)
Predictions for the future evolution of encryption

Purchase the book here.

THE 2015 SOLO AND SMALL FIRM LEGAL TECHNOLOGY GUIDE: CRITICAL DECISIONS MADE SIMPLE

February 3, 2015

2015+Solo+and+Small+Firm+Cover Authors:

Sharon D. Nelson Esq., John W. Simek and Michael C. Maschke

ISBN: 978-1-63425-074-0

Price: $89.95

This one-of-a-kind annual guide is written to help solo and small firm lawyers find the best technology for their dollar. You’ll find the most current information and recommendations on computers, servers, networking equipment, legal software, printers, security products, smartphones, the iPad, and anything else a law office will need. It’s written in clear, easily accessible language to make implementation easier whether you do it yourself use an IT consultant. Either way, you’ll learn how to make technology work for you.

Topics include:

A vendor-neutral look at the best and worst legal technology for both Mac and PC
Protecting your confidential data from anyone, including our own government
Keeping current with the ever-evolving smartphone market
Moving your data to the cloud safely and easily
The best law practice software for case and time management, financials, and the Paper LESS office
Cost effective software and hardware with a strong shelf life
Using social media to its full advantage
Legal technology forecasts for 2016

THE 2014 SOLO AND SMALL FIRM LEGAL TECHNOLOGY GUIDE: CRITICAL DECISIONS MADE SIMPLE

January 19, 2014

Authors:

Sharon D. Nelson Esq., John W. Simek and Michael C. Maschke

ISBN: 978-1-62722-439-0

Price: $89.95

This annual guide is the only one of its kind written to help solo and small firm lawyers find the best technology for their dollar. You’ll find the most current information and recommendations on computers, servers, networking equipment, legal software, printers, security products, smartphones, the iPad, and anything else a law office might need. It’s written in clear, easily understandable language to make implementation easier if you choose to do it yourself, or you can use it in conjunction with your IT consultant. Either way, you’ll learn how to make technology work for you.

Topics include:

Updated recommendations for hardware and software for PCs and Macs
Is it time to upgrade to Windows 8 or should you avoid it?
Smartphones–which phones are best for lawyers?
Secure cloud implementations
How can lawyers use social media ethically and effectively?
Favorite utilizes and apps for lawyers
Securing your data (even from our own government
Where legal technology is heading in 2015
And much more!

“LAW PRACTICE MAGAZINE” PUBLISHED NSA ARTICLE BY SHARON NELSON AND JOHN SIMEK

January 12, 2014

January/February 2014 | Law Practice Magazine | The Management Issue

The January/February 2014 issue of Law Practice Magazine published an article by Sharon Nelson and John Simek, Sensei’s Principals, entitled “What NSA Surveillance Means to Law Firms.” Excerpt: “THE CHINESE ARE THE VILLAINS, engaged in a pervasive course of state-sponsored cyberattacks. Unless you’ve been living the life of a hermit, you’ve heard that a lot in the course of the last year. But now we’ve learned that the cybersecurity of law firms is at risk from a newly discovered source: the National Security Agency (NSA).”

Read the article here…

THE 2013 SOLO AND SMALL FIRM LEGAL TECHNOLOGY GUIDE: CRITICAL DECISIONS MADE SIMPLE

January 3, 2013

Authors:

Sharon D. Nelson, Esq., John W. Simek, and Michael C. Maschke

ISBN: 978-1-61438-725-1

Price: $89.95

This annual guide is the only one of its kind written to help solo and small firm lawyers find the best technology for their dollar. You’ll find the most current information and recommendations on computers, servers, networking equipment, legal software, printers, security products, smartphones, the iPad, and anything else a law office might need. It’s written in clear, easily understandable language to make implementation easier if you choose to do it yourself, or you can use it in conjunction with your IT consultant. Either way, you’ll learn how to make technology work for you. Purchase the book here…

Topics include:

Updated recommendations for hardware and software, including Mac products
Navigating the minefield of social media
The authors’ favorite utilities
The rapidly evolving smartphone market
Data security–what reasonable measures should you be taking in light of the new ethics rules?
The Paper LESS office: Kicking the paper habit
Cloud computing pros and cons
Where the legal tech world will be in 2014

INFORMATION SECURITY FOR LAWYERS AND LAW FIRMS

July 12, 2012

Authors:
Sharon D. Nelson, David K. Isom, and John W. Simek

ISBN: 1-59031-663-0

Trim Size: 6×9 Paperback

Price: $89.95

Book Overview
Published by the American Bar Association in 2006, this book provides sound advice, guidelines, and assistance, bridging the worlds of law and technology to explore important information security issues that face the legal professional every day.

Content Includes: