INSIGHTS
The Linux Law Firm (or How I Learned to Love FOSS)
What is the Linux Law Firm?
In short, it’s Reidel Law Firm! We are a law firm that is dedicated to providing the highest quality service to our clients in the franchise and international trade space while utilizing (nearly) only free and open-source software (FOSS). We believe in the power of FOSS to empower individuals and organizations of all sizes, and strive to provide our clients with the best legal advice possible.
Free software refers to software which adheres to the requirements of the Free Software Foundation (FSF), which generally involve providing access to the underlying source code, allowing free distribution and modification of the software. Open-source software (or OSS) refers more broadly to software which is made available through public collaboration and shared resources, though there is some overlap with FOSS.
At Reidel Law Firm, we use Linux as our primary operating system and actively support the development of FOSS applications. We do this for many reasons, including greater cost savings, improved security, enhanced flexibility and more reliable software. Additionally, we believe in the power of FOSS to empower individuals and organizations of all sizes by providing an alternative to proprietary software from large conglomerates.
We believe that our commitment to free and open-source software is a powerful statement about our dedication to our craft and to providing the best service possible for our clients. Our commitment to free and open-source software development gives us a unique perspective on the legal landscape and allows us to provide our clients with superior service.
Why FOSS?
It’s a statement about our values as a law firm. We believe in the power of collaboration and open resources to spur innovation, drive creativity, and provide everyone with access to quality software. We strive to embody these values in all that we do, and are proud to be one of the few law firms who operate exclusively on Linux and support the development of FOSS applications.
At the end of the day, we believe that using Linux and supporting FOSS is the right thing to do. It’s a statement about our commitment to providing our clients with the best service possible and our dedication to creating a better world through technology.
For a great overview about why it is important to utilize and support FOSS, I encourage you to watch this great Ted Talk by the founder of the Free Software Foundation, Richard Stallman.