Professor Bainbridge...on law, politics, religion, culture & food

Banishing Your Blackberry from a Meeting

In legal education blogs, there’s been an ongoing discussion about whether to ban students from having internet access during class and even whether laptops should be banned. (See, e.g., Gordon Smith’s recent post.) I vote no and no. One of the reasons I’m skeptical of such bans, is that I’m frequently guilty of using my iPhone to text and web surf during meetings. So I was interested to read that a law firm has banned smart phones from meetings:

… the powers that be at Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone in Mineola, N.Y., have started calling for a cell-phone and BlackBerry-free zone for major meetings to discuss issues, such as key law changes, that might affect clients or significant internal developments.

The “no-device policy” came about, says partner Ira Halperin, as the steady buzzes and vibrations signaling a new call or e-mail were increasingly interfering with meeting-goers’ focus.

“We like everyone to be connected to clients and to be very responsive to their needs,” he says - but not at the expense of giving full attention to a major issue.

When it comes to more routine meetings, if it’s necessary for someone to respond to an essential call or e-mail, they’re asked step out into the hall to do it.

Says Halperin, “It’s more of a courtesy thing.”

Is it appropriate? Will it work? Will serious Crackberry addicts try to find ways to hide their use from their colleagues? In fact, there are websites devoted to how to get away with texting in classes or meetings. Case in point:

Currently, my method is to prop up a book or binder on my leg and leaning on the desk, and text behind it. (I sit in the back in these classes) Other times, I text with my leg folded up on my other leg, and text in the non visible part in between. (easier to find tho) ...

Put it on silent and text underneath your desk. If you’re really talented do it with one hand, that will throw suspicion off of you. A book in your lap is a dead give away you’re up to something.
1 month ago