When I talk to lawyers about using the iPad in their practice, I invariably get around to telling them that for some reason, app developers have really concentrated on making apps for litigators more than for any other type of legal practice.  And that’s a great thing; having worked for more than 6 years as a trial technologist at my old firm, I saw that it was next to impossible for lawyers to use technology at trial without assistance from a paralegal or technologist, hired or otherwise.  Lawyers who didn’t have the resources were stuck with hauling boxes of paper to the courtroom, and watching as better-equipped lawyers across the aisle presented their cases effectively and efficiently using technology.

For those lawyers who want to use technology in the courtroom at hearings or in trial, the iPad has really helped to level the playing field.  You can now go into court with nearly your entire case on a slim tablet – depositions, exhibits, legal research, and you can also use the device to take notes and keep track of trial testimony.

I’m thrilled to announce that my latest book, iPad in One Hour for Litigators, is now available for purchase in the ABA Bookstore, and soon in the iBookstore.  Like my other “One Hour” books, you can probably read the entire book in an hour; to do everything I mention in the book will take you a lot more than one hour, because I mention a lot of things that lawyers can do to more effectively use the iPad in litigation matters.  I approached the book much as I would approach a new case, and explored the different types of apps you can use for each phase:

  • A New Case – Managing Details and Deadlines
  • Discovery – Documents and Depositions
  • Preparing for Trial with the Right Accessories
  • Legal Research on your iPad
  • Picking a Jury, iPad Style
  • Evidence Presentation
  • Tips for Using the iPad in Court – advice from lawyers who are using the iPad in the courtroom every day

I tried to mention all of the apps currently on the market that are worth a look – but as is the nature of technology, new apps continue to appear that can help a lawyer at trial.  I’ll try to mention new apps I like here on the blog, and keep you up to date on improvements made to apps described in the book.

I hope you enjoy the book!