Research that is just beginning on the use of information technology (IT) in the practice of law is described. When this research is successfully completed, there should be a great deal of interest in the results, since the research is intended to answer the following three questions:

• What is the current state of law firms regarding their use of IT?

• What motivates law firms in making decisions about using IT?

• Would the implementation of IT require significant changes in personnel, management policies, and the organizational structure of law firms?

It is not clear why this paper was presented at this time, however. Those who might wish to know about this research while it is still in progress could have been reached by a direct mailing from the researchers. Presentation of a paper should have awaited the successful completion of at least some of this research.