Given that none of us here at the LOMAP office are heavy Apple users (unless you count Rodney’s iPhone, my thralldom to iTunes and the fact that Rachel eats apple cores–it’s disgusting, I know; just be thankful that you’ve never seen her do it), it makes sense that we’d call in some heavier artillery to address Apple-related technology matters from time to time, here at the blog, especially in consideration of the large, and increasing, number of lawyers using Apple products within their practices. We’re very pleased, then, to publish the following guest post from Wayland attorney Howard Lenow, principal in the firm of Lenow & McCarthy. Howard has been a union side lawyer since 1979. He has twice been named a ‘Super Lawyer’; he is senior faculty at the Labor Guild of Boston; and, he is a founder of American Jews for a Just Peace. Howard is also a national speaker on technology in the practice of law, and is a self-admitted MacIntosh fanatic; he’s been using Apple products since ‘1984’. Below, Howard lays out his inputs for the small, portable, iPad law office.
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I am in the process of completing my totally portable, small, iPad office, and I’m almost there. I’d be interested in hearing about others’ experiences and advice on getting small; but, here’s what I‘ve put together recently.
Hardware and Accessories
Jambox (by Jawbone). This is a very small, Bluetooth speaker (6 inches wide x 1 inch tall x 1 inch deep), that has decent sound. It’s not for audiophiles; but, it’s perfect for iPad presentations, even in decent-sized rooms. The other highly-rated, small, bluetooth soundbox is Soundmatters‘ FoxL (Version 2). I ended up choosing Jambox, because it just looks cooler; some, however, say that the Fox has a more robust sound–and, it’s actually a little bit smaller than Jambox.
Tags (by Outdoor Technology). These are bluetooth earbuds. I justify them as a way to work on sounded presentations without making noise for those around me. These are great on planes, trains and automobiles . . . when you’re not driving. I tried Jaybird‘s new EF3 Freedom Buds, but the signal kept dropping, and they weren’t as comfortable in my ears. Of course, all ears are different, and some are even gigantic. I also tried Motorola’s around-the-head, bluetooth earphones; but, they were simply painful. Maybe my head is too big; I’ve been told that before.
Fujitsu ScanSnap S1100. It’s small, and it just works.
Apple’s small bluetooth keyboard.
Compass Mobile Stand (by Twelve South). This is a fold-up, metal stand for your iPad. It’s sturdy, and it’s a nice way to keep your iPad upright while you work, or type. A friend of mine has the Incase Origami Workstation, which is a carrying case for the bluetooth keyboard that also folds out to a stand for the iPad and keyboard; the Incase stand, though, felt clunky to me, and the reviews say that the velcro comes off too easily.
Qumi Projector (by Vivitek). It’s 300 lumens at 1.4 pounds, and 6 inches wide x 1 inch tall x 4 inches deep. This one just came out in May, and I look forward to trying it out.
Software and Applications
TrialPad. Version 2 just came out. This is a great trial presentation software.
OmniFocus. Watch MacSparky‘s three amazing “How to Use OmniFocus” tutorials (accessible here (part one), here (part two) and here (part three)), and you’ll be sold. This is the best GTD task management program for the iPad.
OmniOutliner. This is new for the iPad, and it’s just beautiful. I build all of my oral arguments and trial outlines on this program.
Dropbox. Of course . . . How else do you get your documents?
Goodreader. Of course . . . How else do you manage your documents?
Circus Ponies Notebook. Of course . . . How else do you build a trial notebook?
Keynote. Of course . . . How else do you run a presentation? (Well, you could use Prezi . . . but, it only just became available as an iPad app, and I haven’t had a chance to test it yet.)
Fastcase (free) OR WestlawNext (expensive). These for your research requirements.
Writepad. This is a great little application for taking notes; it can also translate your handwriting into text, if you don’t have a keyboard handy.
Penultimate. This is another ‘writing by hand’ app; but, the final product stays in your handwriting. Instead of writing with your finger, pick up the AluPen, or other similar device.
Quick Office. This for reading and editing Office documents.
iAnnotate. This for PDF markups; it’s a little bit more robust, for this purpose, than Goodreader.
Angry Birds, Plants vs. Zombies, Frisbee Forever, Virtual Pool HD, You Don’t Know Jack. These for those times when you’re between oral arguments on Motions Day. These are the real reasons why I bought the Outdoor Technology Tags . . .
