Administrative Updates
Professional Education Seminars
If there is a topic you are interested in learning about or you have a suggestion for a potential seminar topic, email Mary Rau for consideration by the Professional Education Committee (PEC).
For the upcoming seminar on Thursday, April 3, Jen Whelan and Ryan Browning will present on general litigation techniques.
MG+M to Host Design Professionals Roundtable Webinar on March 25
MG+M will host the next installment of our Design Professionals Roundtable series, “The Design Professional’s Guide to Buying and Selling a Practice: Avoiding Common Mistakes,” on Tuesday, March 25 at 8 a.m. ET. Led by Partners Ben LaFrombois and Carlos Poza, the session will provide key insights into navigating mergers and acquisitions within the design industry. Learn more and register.
Disabling the New Outlook
If you have switched to the New Outlook option for your desktop Outlook app, please revert back to the prior version until further notice. New Outlook does not yet support key firm add-ins, including iManage and the Phish Alert Button. Microsoft is not planning to retire the current version of Outlook until April 2026. Contact the Service Desk with any questions.
Reminder: Use Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop
As of January 17, all Citrix users are now using Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). AVD offers enhanced performance, improved security and better integration with our applications. This transition aims to provide a more streamlined user experience while supporting our ongoing commitment to innovation.
Teams to Replace ShoreTel for Firm Phone Use
IT is working to upgrade the firm’s phone system and replace ShoreTel with Microsoft Teams Telephony. The transition process will begin later this month, and IT will provide additional details about how this will impact and benefit users. The upgrade provides enhanced phone capabilities, greater integration with Teams and other Microsoft tools, and improved overall efficiency. Contact the Service Desk with any questions.
MG+M Has Moved iManage to the Cloud
As of March 1, MG+M has moved iManage to iManage Cloud.
iManage Cloud provides the following enhancements without extensive changes to the user experience or look of the platform:
- Improved searching and overall performance to reduce lag times and ensure quicker access to files
- Enhanced security, compliance and data protection
- Simplified sharing that allows users to share documents directly from iManage with internal and external recipients
- Improved collaboration that allows users to work on documents simultaneously with real-time version tracking
Contact the Service Desk with any questions.
AI in the News
Recent warnings from AI experts have raised significant concerns about DeepSeek’s data practices and security vulnerabilities. Heather Murray, an AI consultant and ISO committee member for AI security, has highlighted the platform’s alarming data retention policies, which pose serious privacy risks. DeepSeek indefinitely retains user data on servers in China, bypassing data protection laws in the US, UK and Europe. Experts strongly advise against using DeepSeek on work computers or while connected to the internet, recommending instead that users run it locally on personal devices to prevent exposure of sensitive information. As a result, organizations such as NASA and the US Navy, as well as the state of Texas, have banned its use.
Additionally, DeepSeek’s keystroke tracking and censorship practices raise further red flags. AI educators and cybersecurity specialists have discovered that the platform actively monitors keystrokes, increasing the risk of biometric hacking and social engineering attacks. Moreover, its censorship of politically sensitive topics—aligned with Chinese government regulations—compromises the model’s reliability for unbiased analysis. Despite DeepSeek’s claims of efficiency, independent testing by global consultancies suggests that its extended processing times and high energy consumption may offset any perceived cost benefits.
Given these security, privacy and ethical concerns, users should carefully reconsider adopting DeepSeek for AI-driven solutions.
Reminder: AI Tool Usage and Compliance
As interest in emerging AI tools continues to grow, it is critical to ensure that all AI-related technologies align with MG+M’s security, compliance and ethical standards. Before using or exploring any AI tool, please consult the firm’s AI policy, available on ADP, to verify whether the tool is approved for use.
For any questions or requests regarding AI tools, including approval inquiries or best practices, please contact the Service Desk for guidance. Maintaining compliance with our AI policy is essential to safeguarding client confidentiality, data security and the integrity of our firm’s operations.
Adding a Shared Calendar in Outlook Mobile for iPhone
Do you need to access a shared calendar from your iPhone? View our step-by-step instructions.
Reporting and Blocking Malicious Emails
Phishing messages are bulk emails that appear to come from a reputable source and request specific actions that may harm you or your organization. If you receive a message that you believe is a phishing attempt, click the Phish Alert Button on the Outlook ribbon at the top of your screen. Locate the envelope icon with the orange fishhook. After clicking to submit a report, a pop-up will prompt you to confirm. The suspicious email will then be immediately forwarded to the Service Desk. After reporting an email as phishing, spam or malware, use the Outlook “block sender” feature to prevent further messages from that sender.
Update: Phishing Test Results
In light of recent security concerns surrounding DeepSeek, last month’s firmwide phishing test simulated an account setup request related to the platform. We want to emphasize that this was strictly a test designed to assess awareness and vigilance against sophisticated phishing tactics.
The results were highly encouraging—only 2.4% of users clicked the setup link, significantly outperforming the industry average of 4% for similar phishing attempts. This demonstrates the firm’s strong security awareness and commitment to protecting our systems. While this progress is commendable, ongoing vigilance remains essential.
Awareness and caution are our strongest defenses against cyber threats. We appreciate your diligence and encourage continued caution when handling unexpected emails and links. Thank you for making security a top priority at MG+M!
Scam Aware: Phishing Emails Target X Users With Fake Login Requests
Cybercriminals are targeting X (formerly Twitter) users with phishing emails designed to steal login credentials. One version of this scam claims someone attempted to access your account from a new device and urges you to log in immediately to verify your account. Another version claims your account violated copyright laws, prompting you to submit an appeal.
Both emails prompt you to click a link to verify your account, leading to a fake X login or password reset page controlled by cybercriminals. If you enter your credentials, they will steal them to access your account and post scam links.
Follow these tips to avoid phishing scams:
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online accounts. 2FA is more secure because it requires two forms of identification to log in to your account.
- Hover over links in emails to see if they’re legitimate. If you must reset your password, always navigate to the official X website or mobile app.
- Be suspicious of urgent requests. Cybercriminals often pressure you to act fast to trick you into falling for their scams.
Tech Tip of the Month: International Travel Requests
Planning to travel internationally? Submit travel requests to the Service Desk before you leave. This helps our Service Desk and Security Team verify the legitimacy of any unusual logins, ensuring your account remains secure while you are away.
Important Upcoming Dates
IT Maintenance
The MG+M IT team adheres to an industry-standard change management framework, leveraging structured principles, weekly reviews and approval processes to ensure that all modifications to IT services and infrastructure are executed securely and efficiently. This disciplined approach is designed to minimize risks and disruptions to service quality while balancing the unique demands of attorneys, client needs and the strict deadlines associated with legal and court proceedings. By proactively managing changes, our process not only safeguards the firm's daily operations but also ensures compliance with evolving security standards and regulatory requirements.
To maintain operational stability and readiness, we maintain a 12-month calendar outlining critical changes and system maintenance to meet security and compliance standards, safeguarding firm and client data. All planned initiatives are aligned with MG+M’s technology strategy and compliance objectives.
View a calendar of upcoming maintenance and important IT events. By staying informed and engaged, we can collectively ensure the reliability, security and integrity of our IT environment.
Pay Dates
Attorneys and Management: Friday, March 14 and Friday, March 28
Administrative Professionals: Friday, March 14 and Friday, March 28
Firm Holidays
Lundi Gras: Monday, March 3 (Hattiesburg and New Orleans offices)
Mardi Gras: Tuesday, March 4 (Hattiesburg and New Orleans offices)
Events
Perrin Conferences’ Cutting-Edge Issues in Asbestos Litigation Conference: Tuesday and Wednesday, March 4 and 5
MG+M Design Professionals Roundtable. The Design Professional’s Guide to Buying and Selling a Practice: Avoiding Common Mistakes: Tuesday, March 25
Perrin Conferences’ The Future of Legal Pricing: Exploring Value-Based Models Webinar: Tuesday, March 25
Perrin Conferences’ Strangers in a Strange Land: A Brief Guide to London Arbitrations for the American Practitioner Webinar: Wednesday, March 26
Perrin Conferences’ Artificial Intelligence in the Law Conference: Tuesday, April 1
Perrin Conferences’ Insurance Coverage & Allocation Issues Conference: Thursday, May 1
Perrin Conferences’ Cook County Asbestos Litigation Conference: Monday, May 19
Perrin Conferences’ Talc Litigation Conference: Tuesday, May 20
Administrative Contacts and Resources
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Visit the Service Desk Portal
The Service Desk is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. For urgent issues outside of these hours—such as cyber incidents, system outages or client deadlines that cannot wait until regular business hours—after-hours support is available 24/7/365.