Time is your most valuable asset as an attorney.

So it makes sense to find creative ways to streamline your practice throughout the day. Fortunately, there’s an iPhone/iPad app for everything – perhaps unsurprising, given the ever-expanding universe of applications in the App Store (750,000 and counting). There’s nothing wrong with app-itis - so long as the [...]]]>

Time is your most valuable asset as an attorney.

So it makes sense to find creative ways to streamline your practice throughout the day. Fortunately, there’s an iPhone/iPad app for everything – perhaps unsurprising, given the ever-expanding universe of applications in the App Store (750,000 and counting). There’s nothing wrong with app-itis - so long as the apps are free to try – because it pays to find to a low-cost solution to an everyday problem, such as scanning documents and saving contacts.

Here’s a list of free mobile apps for saving time and staying productive away from the office.

Forbes contributor Shane Robinson published a fantastic list of mobile apps for entrepreneurs that are just as helpful for attorneys. Here’s a few of his favorites, plus his descriptions of the app.

Dropbox (Free)

 Great to have on your phone for three reasons: 1) it allows you to access all your business files in the cloud right from your phone (great for meetings if you forget a presentation for example); 2) cloud storage across your phone and computer is a great way to back up all your files; 3) you can share all files in your Dropbox account with any recipient, without having to email them.

Genius Scan (Free)

I can’t tell you how much time I used to waste when I first started my business and had to find a Kinkos every time I needed to print, scan and fax documents. This app won’t let you print (obviously), but it will let you take a picture of any document, or string of documents, and then send it to your recipient as a single PDF file, the same way an office scanner would. Another 30-minute trip to Kinkos, or $200 expenditure on a scanner, saved.

Smartr (Free)

If you’re big on networking and want a good way to remember when you last kept in touch with someone, then this app is like the analytics for your address book. It’s also an all-in-one location to get calendar events and read email, Facebook messages and Tweets from your contacts as well.

LinkedIn Card Munch (Free)

For people big on networking and attending networking events in particular, this is a great app. Take a picture of any business card, and this app will automatically convert it into a contact in your phone.

Perch (Free)

This one I had actually never heard of until a commenter suggested it (thanks again!), so I checked it out, and it’s pretty cool. Perch allows you to discover competitor businesses and check out their online presence and activity across Facebook, Twitter and Yelp.

MobileDay  (Free)

Suggested by another commenter, MobileDay is the conference call app you’ve always wanted but didn’t necessarily know you did. Download MobileDay and it will scan your calendar for meetings, send you reminders when they arrive and then allow you to join your scheduled conference calls with one click, without having to remember any access codes.

Do you have a favorite mobile app that helps you save time during the day?

Apple may have perfected the tablet computer, but Douglas Adams dreamed it.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the eponymous fictional electronic guide book, is described as a “small, thin, flexible lap computer” by the author. It is a “large metal book with a large screen instead of pages” and serves as “the [...]]]>

Apple may have perfected the tablet computer, but Douglas Adams dreamed it.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the eponymous fictional electronic guide book, is described as a “small, thin, flexible lap computer” by the author. It is a “large metal book with a large screen instead of pages” and serves as “the standard repository for all knowledge.” Its entries are “reached by voice activation.” Sound familiar? 

The iPad is Earth-bound – but “don’t panic” – here’s a great way to use your iPad at the office.

Many trial lawyers paradoxically work at a desk – not in a courtroom – and there’s little reason to use a tablet computer in your office when you have a desktop computer.

So how can you use an iPad at the office? 

You may not realize it, but you hold in your hands your very own Hitchhiker’s encyclopedia of legal knowledge. The key is leveraging the iPad’s storage capacity. With apps such as GoodReader (see below), the iPad can hold a world of helpful information throughout the day as you work.

Purchase an iPad Stand

Check out the Rocketfish iPad Stand (pictured below):

It’s a convenient way to add a second screen to your desk and get access to your documents:

With a second screen, you can flip through case documents while you compose a brief on your main screen. It’s also  a helpful way to pull up documents during a phone conference and check a court opinion that you have filed away on a particular issue.

Build a Mobile Law Library

To get the most out of your iPad, start building a mobile law library.

In GoodReader ($4.99), the iPad’s file management app, you can file electronic copies of key court decisions and related legal resources. You can open just about every file type: .pdf, .doc, .txt, .mp3, and .jpeg. It’s the hub where everything is stored – cases, statutes, memoranda,  and notes from other apps, such as Notability. At full capacity, it is an electronic law library and case management system.

Over time, you will accumulate an incredible amount of useful information in your GoodReader library – all at your fingertips, no matter where you travel (or what you encounter) throughout the galaxy.

Today, Apple will announce a smaller iPad.

The company is shrinking its signature device to compete with the eReader market. The last thing attorneys need, however, is a smaller screen on which to pinch and zoom pleadings from the comfort of their couch. If anything, it would be nice to have a [...]]]>

The company is shrinking its signature device to compete with the eReader market. The last thing attorneys need, however, is a smaller screen on which to pinch and zoom pleadings from the comfort of their couch. If anything, it would be nice to have a larger iPad, one that mimics the standard 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper dimensions. But perhaps there will be other surprises at the event.

Here’s a roundup of the latest rumors on the morning of the announcement.

What’s in a Name?

Various outlets are reporting that the smaller iPad will be called the iPad Mini:

Although rumors of a smaller iPad with a 7.85-in. display have circulated for years, talk in mid-September centered around the tablet hitting production last week. Apple invited reporters and analysts to an event [today] where virtually everyone expects the small “iPad Mini”.

Or the iPad Air:

The anticipated 7.8-inch slate with specs comparable to the second-generation iPad has been most commonly referred to as the “iPad Mini” in the onslaught of rumors over the past six months. But we’ve also heard that it might be called the “iPad Air” in a nod to its MacBook cousin.

What’s the Big Deal?

By all accounts, the miniature iPad – blink and you’ll miss it – approximates the size of the Google Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire:

As for the iPad mini, iMore says that they’re hearing it will be released at the same event, and will be exactly like the 9.7-inch iPad, except scaled down to 7.85-inches. They also hear that all new iOS devices will get a 19-pin dock connector.

Not everyone has agreed (*ahem*) with building a smaller iPad:

“The reason we wouldn’t make a 7-inch tablet isn’t because we don’t want to hit a price point. It’s because we don’t think you can make a great tablet with a 7-inch screen,” Jobs said. “The 7-inch tablets are tweeners, too big to compete with a smartphone and too small to compete with an iPad.”

Anything Else?

There’s a flurry of far-fetched rumors that could follow the iPad announcement.

There might be a 13-inch retina display MacBook:

Apple is also expected to launch a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, reports 9to5Mac. The blog says that Apple will launch the laptop at the same time as the iPad Mini.

Or iBooks 3.0:

Apple’s iTunes Store has leaked a mention of iBooks 3.0 ahead of Apple’s October 23rd media event. This media event will discuss a smaller iPad, which will likely be education oriented.

Or cloud-based iWork:

The report said the app will include cloud-hosted versions of Numbers, Keynote, and Pages apps, and it will bring functionality of VMware’s “Horizon Application Manager.” It also claimed that the cloud infrastructure being used for the app is separate from iCloud, indicating the service would be aimed at business customers.

Why Release a Smaller iPad?

No one seriously expects professionals to carry a smaller tablet that renders document review nearly impossible. Yet, a a pint size iPad might be better for reading books, flipping through magazines, playing games, watching movies on the Metro, and the other things people do when they are not working.

Will it be a business device, like the original iPad? Probably not.

There are 700,000 (and counting) apps in the App Store.

You can find hundreds of apps that perform similar functions, and after a few downloads, your screen becomes cluttered. Most law firms, however, would prefer a simple setup. It’s always exciting when one of the traditional apps, such as GoodReader, adds a [...]]]>

There are 700,000 (and counting) apps in the App Store.

You can find hundreds of apps that perform similar functions, and after a few downloads, your screen becomes cluttered. Most law firms, however, would prefer a simple setup. It’s always exciting when one of the traditional apps, such as GoodReader, adds a function that formerly required opening the document into a different app – such as signing a pleading.

Here’s how you can store documents and sign pleadings within the GoodReader app.

You might be familiar with GoodReader ($4.99). It’s the iPad’s file cabinet.

Many law firms use GoodReader to open case files, sync documents with the office computer, annotate documents, and build a mobile law library. You can store any type of file: .doc, .pdf, .jpeg, .mp3, and .txt files. Best of all, GoodReader files are stored locally, meaning you do not have to be connected to the Internet when you transfer your documents to the app.

But until recently, you had to “open-in” a pleading to another app, such as PDF Expert or SignMyPad, to add your signature.

Now, you can open a pleading directly within the case file and sign it. This saves tons of time when you need to endorse an agreed proposed order or discovery pleading without returning to your office.

Here’s how you can sign a pleading within the GoodReader app.

First, open the pleading:

Tap the middle of the screen to access the annotation tools:

Select the draw button, which is the bottom icon on the tool bar, and click “Save to this file”:

Sign the pleading with using an iPad stylus pen:

Note, you can change the pen color and thickness of your signature with the toolbar at the top of the page. Unfortunately, writing on the iPad is sort of like coloring with a large Crayon in Kindergarten class. You will need to resize your signature and place it on the signature line.

Click “Save” and tap on your signature to move it:

Select “Move” to resize your signature with the boxes around the annotation:

Click and drag the middle of the signature to move it onto the signature line:

Select “done” and tap the middle of the screen to email the pleading to opposing counsel. Click on the action (box-and-arrow) button to email the document:

Be sure to select “flatten annotations” to affix your signature to the .pdf file before sending:

You can email the document to opposing counsel, send it by e-fax to the court, or return the pleading to your office for filing:

Signing documents has never been easier.

Attorneys already store pleadings in GoodReader case files, and now, you can sign pleadings from directly within the app. The old process of printing pleadings, stamping envelopes, or scanning signed copies at the office, is replaced by a few taps and the click of a button.

Imagine never printing a transcript ever again.

That would have been nice during college, when I worked in the file room of a local law firm. We would literally stand in the middle of this mountain of paperwork to sort through various filings. It must have been a fire hazard – and [...]]]>

Imagine never printing a transcript ever again.

That would have been nice during college, when I worked in the file room of a local law firm. We would literally stand in the middle of this mountain of paperwork to sort through various filings. It must have been a fire hazard – and not a very fun job. Now, you can store it all in the cloud and carry it everywhere on the iPad. And best of all, voluminous deposition transcripts are available in one of several e-tran formats: .txt, .pdf, or .ptx files.

Here’s how to use Westlaw E-Transcript (Free) to review .ptx transcripts on the iPad.

Download and open the app:

Go to the case file in GoodReader, if you have already stored the e-tran file via Dropbox on your iPad (you could also just send the file to your email and open it directly in your inbox):

Select the .ptx file:

Under Manage Files, select “Open-In” and choose Westlaw E-Transcript:

Now the file’s opened in the Westlaw E-Transcript app, which has a simple, straightforward design, allowing you to scroll through the transcript:

The text is indexed and searchable:

Press and hold a section of the text to highlight and add notes:

You can highlight key sections:

Or add notes in the margin:

When you finish reviewing the transcript, send an email with those notes and highlighted sections:

Finally – after all this time – there’s an app for reviewing .ptx transcripts on the iPad.

You might be aware of the other apps for reviewing depositions (TranscriptPad) and case documents (GoodReader), each of which include more sophisticated annotation features. But Westlaw E-Transcript is the only application that allows you to read and review .ptx files on the iPad.

There’s nothing complicated about using Westlaw E-Transcript – it’s easy to use, well designed, and cuts through the piles of paper as you prepare for trial.

Fax machines are not (yet) extinct.

Sure, you may have a paperless office. Everything is scanned, saved, and emailed. There are times, however, when you need to fax a document to the court or opposing counsel. Do you need a fax machine? No. You can send and receive faxes as .pdf attachments in [...]]]>

Fax machines are not (yet) extinct.

Sure, you may have a paperless office. Everything is scanned, saved, and emailed. There are times, however, when you need to fax a document to the court or opposing counsel. Do you need a fax machine? No. You can send and receive faxes as .pdf attachments in your email inbox.

Here’s how to send and receive faxes on your iPad – and the most popular e-fax services.

After speaking at the Texas Center for the Judiciary‘s Annual Conference, New Orleans attorney Jeff Richardson described a Texas judge who signs warrants that are faxed to his iPad:

He has an account with eFax, which gives him a fax number that sends PDF versions of FAXs to his email.  When officers need warrants signed after hours, they can fax the warrant to his eFax number, he can then review the warrant on his iPad, if it is appropriate he can sign and date it using one of the iPad PDF programs, and then he can e-mail the signed document back to eFax so that the officer receives a signed fax and can execute the warrant.

The judge receives the fax as an email attachment. He clicks on the .pdf file, taps the action (box-and-arrow) button in the upper right corner, chooses “Open-In” and uses either PDF Expert or SignMyPad to sign the warrant.

More information on signing and sending pleadings:

• Sign Docs from Email (or Fax) with SignMyPad
• Use PDF Expert to Sign and Send Pleadings

The most popular fax services on your iPad:

• RingCentral
• eFax
• MyFax

As they say, justice never sleeps. Or was that Batman? Either way, kudos to the judge for his commitment to Texas law enforcement at all hours.

Yesterday, Apple had another Big Announcement.

The iPhone 5 looks great, but a great leap forward? You won’t catch me lining up for the latest shiny gadget. I have been working with the same Apple iPad 1 (16 GB, WiFi) since it’s release almost three years ago, and it works fine in legal practice [...]]]>

Yesterday, Apple had another Big Announcement.

The iPhone 5 looks great, but a great leap forward? You won’t catch me lining up for the latest shiny gadget. I have been working with the same Apple iPad 1 (16 GB, WiFi) since it’s release almost three years ago, and it works fine in legal practice – stores thousands of documents, keeps me connected to the office, and best of all, the software (iOS) keeps improving.

The latest software update for iOS 6 (available Sept. 19) – that’s the real news this week.

Here’s a quick overview of iOS 6 and why it matters for legal practice.

How Do I Download iOS 6?

On September 19, go to Settings > General:

Click “Software Update” and “Install Now” and wait 20-30 minutes:

Reboot your iPad to make sure the changes downloaded.

What are the Key Features in iOS 6?

Check out the following:

• VIP Mail - Route email from contacts to a special inbox. Never miss a message from a key client – or in my case, from a partner – ever again.
• Maps - Includes turn-by-turn navigation from Siri, helpful on the way to a deposition. Google apps will no longer bundle with the iPad or iPhone, but will be available in the app store (go here for YouTube).
• Better Privacy Settings – You should already follow these tips to protect your privacy on the iPad. With iOS 6, you will also be able to monitor what apps are using data in real time.
• Better Voice Dictation – Siri listens to millions of users each day. With all that data, the app is now more accurate when dictating email and transcribing briefs at the office.

What About the iPhone 5?

Some lawyers are fired up about latest device. It will be faster and lighter – great. But with due respect to New Orleans attorney Jeff Richardson, who predicts attorneys will “love” the iPhone 5, I have a difficult time imagining a few pixels and a couple millimeters making much of a difference in my practice.

But the rumors of a new iPad 4? Haptic, textured display? Bigger screen? Holograms? Now I’m excited.