iPad: the secret weapon of the lawyer
I’m 32,000 feet in the air on a flight from Michigan back to Phoenix, anxiously awaiting those familiar words “approved to use portable electronic devices.” In one fell swoop, I pull my iPad out of my bag and place it on my tray ready to write this article … or maybe watch a movie … or read a book. I admit that the iPad offers some nice distractions from work, but at the end of the day it has become an integral part of my law practice.
As a small business owner, it is important to me to be able to access and transfer information efficiently. I do not have an army of lawyers at my disposal, nor do I have legal assistants who can read all the documents that come to my desk. For the most part, I am the one who reviews, classifies and submits documents. Therefore, my need for an “all-purpose” assistant is crucial. Enter: the iPad.
Heralded as the next “big thing,” Apple’s iPad has been marketed primarily to consumers for browsing the web, reading and sending emails, viewing photos, reading books, and watching videos. In other words, the iPad is a lean average content consuming machine. The real question is whether it has any value to lawyers. The answer depends on how comfortable you are with the technology, how your practice is set up, and whether you are comfortable typing on a touch screen.
Evolution of the practice of law? Yes, there is an app for that.
First of all, let me say that I love my iPad. It has really changed the way I practice law. However, it is not a replacement for a real computer and I am well aware of this fact after writing most of this article on the iPad. So for solo practitioners and small businesses looking to replace their clunky desktop computers with a sleek and stylish iPad, they’ll have to wait a bit longer.
For me, the key selling point of the iPad is the device itself, as it is lightweight (1.5 pounds), portable (fits inside a briefcase pocket), easy to use (one button), and powerful. I no longer have to bring my bulky laptop to court, as the iPad allows me to take my calendar, emails, and files with me. For example, the other day while in court, I was able to take quick notes on the iPad and then immediately switch to my calendar when the judge asked for availability dates for hearings. Don’t rummage through your briefcase for pens and paper, or try to decipher and transfer your handwritten notes.
Speaking of writing notes, there are several applications (“apps”) that allow you to take notes almost as quickly as with a pen and paper. For word processing and display of business documents, I use an application called “Pages”. If you’re familiar with any word processing software, it shouldn’t be difficult to get used to. It has a spell checker that not only underlines the words, but also offers suggestions for your word. Sometimes this can be a hassle, as some legal jargon is not in the Pages database, but after a while, Pages will automatically recognize its persistence and no longer change it. With Pages you can also:
- Create and modify tables
- Bold, underline, italic
- Change the font, font size, and color
- Convert and email document to Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word
Although Pages can be a great app for editing and reviewing documents, I use Evernote when it comes to client meetings. Evernote is a free application that acts like a giant file folder. With Evernote, you can save web pages, photos, text, and even audio recordings. Each note you create can be stored in a separate notebook, sorted by subject, and even in tabs with certain keywords. Once a note is created, it is automatically emailed to my paralegal, who posts it on our file server.
For me, the two apps I described above highlight the most attractive feature of the iPad: the virtual office. Every document that comes in and out of my office is scanned with my Fujitsu Scansnap S1500 and stored in the appropriate folder. Once stored, I can access those files anywhere, anytime with one of two programs, LogMeIn Ignition or GoodReader. LogMeIn is an application that allows me to remotely access and control any computer in the home or office, just like PC Anywhere or GoToMyPc. It’s actually the app I use the most and it certainly saved my life while in court. For example, I was preparing to attend a hearing a few weeks ago and realized that a crucial document had not been transferred to my iPad. I used LogMeIn to access my office computer and transfer the file from the server to the iPad, and within minutes I was fully prepared for the case again.
GoodReader, the other app I mentioned earlier, acts as a PDF library of all my client files. Not only can I store client files in separate folders, but I have access to thousands of cases, statutes, and reference materials that I have sorted, categorized, and searched. Once I open a document, I can flip through thousands of pages in the blink of an eye. I say thousands because I am a “kitchen sink” type person and I like to have so much information available and accessible at any time. Instead of having to lug around a complete library of client, charter, or treaty files … it’s all there.
In addition to the above, there are other applications that are useful for lawyers. For example, WestlawNext has just launched an iPad app that will allow lawyers to conduct investigations and organize their investigation directly on the iPad. I can see this is beneficial for attorneys who are researching an issue right before a hearing and then rush out and collect their research on the iPad once they get to court. Once in court, the iPad can get even more nifty for a lawyer. iJuror is a graphical application that allows the attorney to select the layout of a group of jurors, enter information about each juror, and then use that information when deciding whether to use strikes on each juror.
Although most of the applications available for the iPad focus on content consumption, it is clear that there are some truly foolproof applications that can help the solo practitioner. However, simply buying an iPad and an app is not enough, as your time and talent will be wasted unless you learn how to use them. This is why I recommend that once you download an app, look on the developer’s website for a tutorial so you know how to use it.
Changing the way I practice
I’ve mentioned a few ways that iPad apps can help lawyers, but what about the practice of law that makes iPad integration so appealing? I found the iPad to be effective both in presenting information to clients and in managing my inquiry. In my humble opinion, the iPad has the ability to evolve the practice of law by simplifying the way we present our cases, and ultimately ourselves, to the world.
When a new client walks through the door, they see a simple conference room with some chairs, coasters, law books, and an iPad on the desk. Most hardly notice when I write, but they are more immediately involved in the conversation when I can hand them the iPad and ask them to review a photo of an injury, verify a document, or play an audio recording of a statement. . Several people later told me that having all their case information available at the touch of a button made them trust me more and made the meeting feel more genuine and interactive. I have found that the more interactive I am with my clients, the better the result, or at least their feeling that I gave them the best possible representation.
The iPad has also been a great management and marketing tool for my practice. Whenever I am in public at a coffee shop or bookstore, people come up to me and ask about my iPad. Naturally, the conversation will gravitate towards what I do and when I tell them they are surprised. Few expect to see a lawyer using anything other than the old-fashioned yellow notepad. I also recently transitioned to a cloud-based billing and customer management software called Clio. Clio allows me to access and enter client information, firm finances, and time entries from anywhere in the world. With the advent of “cloud computing,” I can see how the iPad will become even more ingenious for lawyers.
Final thoughts
Like any other technology, the iPad is far from perfect. It will not automatically make you a better attorney. It won’t prevent carpal tunnel from forming after tight keyboard typing. However, it can make your life easier and allow you to seamlessly create, edit, and present information.
The iPad has become an integral part of my legal practice. It has changed the way I market my practice and educate my clients. In this fast-paced digital world, having the right technology tools like the iPad, along with the seamless integration of my business data, is crucial. It can mean the difference between stumbling across a motion hearing and impressing a judge or client with my organization and the ability to deliver fast and accurate results. It really is my secret weapon.