Mac OS X and iOS resources for litigators [GPSolo Magazine, SeptOct 2014]
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The document presents a collection of MAC/iOS resources beneficial for litigators, emphasizing the importance of using up-to-date materials. It highlights various platforms such as iTunes U, podcasts, and applications useful for legal professionals, along with specific recommended websites and articles. Overall, it serves as a guide to tech resources for lawyers involved in trial work, particularly those utilizing Apple devices.
Mac OS X and iOS resources for litigators [GPSolo Magazine, SeptOct 2014]
- 1. f MAC USER MAC/IOS RESOURCES LITIGATORS FOR By Victoria L. Herring Mostlitigatorsarcgoodre searchers. Or they should be. We could all use a little help, however, so I'm pre senting here a collection of Mac/iOS-based resources I'd suggest to other litigators. Each is accompanied by a link so you can explore further on y o u r o w n . One caution: Websites, blogs, etc. on the Internet frequently "die" or fail to be updated. When you follow these links, or conduct your own research on a search engine, try to limit your searches within the last one or two years. This is not to say that older resources aren't useful or valuable—sometimes they are even better than the newer ones. But, particularly in the realm of technology, ■Si you need to use the most up-to-date re sources possible. FIRST STOP: ITUNES Before I present my list, I should note that when I need to explore and find re sources on any topic, I tend to start with Apple's iTunes application (apple.com/ itunes). iTunes, which can be used both on Macs and on Windows machines, is a store of free and paid items that can be quite useful. So, first off, I open iTunes on my computer (or iPad, although usu ally for this I'm sitting with my laptop or desktop Mac). In all the cases discussed below, I sometimes put the term "law," "constitution," "justice," "trial," and such in the search box to narrow the field. Skipping over the entertainment choices (Music, Movies, TV Shows), I head straight for iTunes U. iTunes U is a collection of presentations, Victoria L. Herring (vlh@herringlaw.com) practices in Des Moines, Iowa, in an office that has used only Apple/Macs since the early 1980s. seminars, classes, and the like from uni versities and colleges, associations, and galleries all over the world—even from schools in the K-12 range. There are all sorts of categories, and one of them is "Law & Politics," with topics such as "Legal Writing," "Constitutional Law," etc. There's a wealth of information there. It's free (really!) and download able and playable on your iPad, iPhone, iPod, or computer. After that, still searching in iTunes, I head to Podcasts. As with iTunes U, there are all sorts of providers of pod- casts on a variety of topics—and they're free. Not all are worth listening to, and there's no similar topic breakdown, but there are podcasts on "Government & Organizations," "Business," and, of course, "Technology"; you can search all topics if you want to see if there's something more focused on trials and litigation. There is also, of course, iTune's App Store. There are loads of categories, and any number might include a relevant and helpful application for your iDevice related to trials and litigation. On my iPad are apps for the following general topics: reading (Kindle, Zinio, iBooks, Instapaper), messaging (Messages, Skype, Google Voice), access/storage (Files Pro, CrashPlan, LfSB Disk), writ ing (Pages, Penultimate, Notability), scanning (JotNotPro, AT&T Code Scanner, RedLaser), signing docu ments (SignEasy, SignNow, DocuSign), printing (Cloud Printer, Printer Pro), conversion (niyConvert, Units, Ruler Plus, iHandy Level), and law (Fastcase, FedCtRecords, LawBox, Iowa Lawyer magazine). It seems everyone has an app these days, which is good, and they're either free or inexpensive enough to test.And there are apps that follow the whole topic of applications and scout out other apps to try for a day or two, which is good to know. Finally, the Books topic on iTunes includes many free books, mostly those 7 8 GPSOLO I September/October 2014
- 2. long copyright-frce, but a few that are recent and especially helpful (iPadat Work, business and finance topics, etc.). There are both e-books (readable on iOS devices or computers using iBooks) and some audiobooks (which tend to cost between $10 and $20, but that might be worth it for a long trip). NOW FOR THAT LIST Over the years I've collected a list of numerous websites, blogs, and online articles that might provide helpful in formation for lawyers involved in trial work, particularly related to working with Macs and iOS devices. Here are the ones I've found most useful: ■ "Apple TV for Trial Presenta t i o n : L i m i t a t i o n s a n d P r a c t i c a l Use" (tinyurl.com/m2sj44r): This 2013 article by Concetta Manker is archived on the Center for Legal and Court Technology website (legaltechccnter.net). ■ "Every Legal App for iPhone and iPad" (tinyurl.com/o3w852w): This listing was posted June 16, 2014, on the Lawyerist website (lawyerist.com). While you're there, check out the Lawyerist website itself, which contains ar ticles on many relevant topics but some of particular interest to iPad and iPhone users. ■ iPhone J.D. (iphoncjd.com): Founded by New Orleans attor ney Jeff Richardson in 2008, this website bills itself as "the oldest and largest website for lawyers using iPhones and iPads." ■ MacLitigator (maclitigator.com): This website, operated by Utah- based litigator Peter Summerill, provides a host of Mac-centric information focused on litigation. ■ Mac Power Users (macpowcrusers. com; also available on iTunes): This weekly podcast by Katie Floyd and David Sparks features interviews with a variety of people discussing workflows, best prac tices, and more. ■ Mi Apple Practice (michbar.org/ pmrc/applepractice.cfm): This "corner" of the State Bar of Michi gan website contains practice man agement resources and all sorts of helpful information about iPads, iPhones, and Macs. ■ The Mac Lawyer (themaclawyer. com): Launched by South Carolina-based attorney Ben Ste vens, this blog is a good all-around source for lawyers using Macs and iOS devices, both in and out of the c o u r t r o o m . ■ The Researching Paralegal "Mac Archives" (tinyurl.com/ pr7tpxp): This portion of the Researching Paralegal website (researchingparalcgal.com), cu- ratcd by registered paralegal Celia C. Elwell, collects legal articles and links for legal professionals spe cifically related to Macs. ■ "Using iPads for Media tion, Arbitration and Trials" (tinyurl.com/nxy4rjw): This 2013 article by William Latham on the InsideCounsel website (insidccounsel.com) offers a litiga tor's take on effective presentation apps and strategies. STILL SEARCHING? The sites above should prove a good starting point, but if you're still look ing for more, the best advice I can give is to head back to iTunes and the App Store and search for highly rated and current information. You'll find a wealth of free and inexpensive (and, if you feel like splurging, some expensive) resources that will help you prepare, participate in, and win trials. ■ J o i n a G P S o l o C o m m i t t e e ! Did you set a professional goal to participate more this year? Here is a great way to fulfill that goal now. Join one or more of our 32 substantive committees! It's simple. Go to our GPSolo Committee web page at htttp://www.americanbar.org/groups/gpsolo/committees.html and click on any committee for more information. Check out the tremendous value of GPSolo's committees! Don't miss out. Think of the networking power to be gained from sharing Insights and ideas with other members. If you have any questions, contact us at 312/988-5648. F g p s o l o ^GPSOLO' /Dksolo.SnuUfmn,n<l I ^ pjll^^CgiWral Practrce Dftwon A B A h o m e . I — . - m — GPSOLO I ambar.org/gpsolomag 7 9