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Article: The power of information bumps into diminishing returns: the balance of power has shifted from availability and accessibility to competence and control.(the home page)
- Article from:
- Online
- Article date:
- November 1, 2003
- Author:
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Not long ago I listened to an attorney lecture a group of journalists about the power of information. Specifically, he was talking about how knowing personal information about potential jurors and witnesses could substantially bolster a lawyer's case. This information, gleaned from public records sources on LexisNexis, substantially increases his ability to choose sympathetic jurors and discredit witnesses.
It was a masterful performance and convinced me that, when I want an eloquent address to a jury, this attorney is my guy. I had a few problems with his basic premise. Twenty years ago, when not every law firm had access to online information, the information ...