Edward Tan, JD

Latest Articles

• Evernote Update Makes App Even More Useful for Lawyers

  Evernote just got a little cooler. An update to the cross-platform note-taking darling brings some useful new functionality to lawyers. We've talked the app's great features before. The new Android version seems to have been designed with Ice Cream Sandwich in mind. Evernote's developers have made some changes to the program's aesthetics and abilities that mesh well with the mobile OS. So what can Evernote's latest revision do for attorneys?

• Do You Have the Right to Flip Off Cops?

  Let's face it, a lot of people dislike cops. Alright, that's not entirely true. There are a lot of good ones out there deserving of compliments. But when you run into bad ones, do you have the right to flip off cops? It might sound like a silly question, but in other parts of the world, it's serious business. For instance, a woman in Dubai was recently jailed for a month and fined for flashing her middle finger at a cop. But that was Dubai.

• WestlawNext iPad App Now Even More Powerful, Useful

  Attorneys know that time is money. New associates will understand this lesson especially well after seeing their billable hours cut in half for the first time. But fear not, the most recent update to the WestLawNext iPad app might just be the thing to solve this most heinous of heartache. Developed by Thomson Reuters, the revised app incorporates some pretty nifty features that weren't available in previous versions.

• Which Smartphone Should Attorneys Choose After Ditching Their BlackBerry?

  If you're an attorney with a BlackBerry, it might be time for an upgrade. Unless you like your smartphones bulky, boring, and poorly compatible with the rest of your life, that is. Don't be fooled by BlackBerry maker Research in Motion's latest plan to shutter its consumer market division and focus entirely on business users either. As of late, the grand daddy of smartphones hasn't proven itself to be much of an innovator in the corporate world.

• Time Master + Billing App: Is it Worth Your Time?

  There are many ways for lawyers to keep track of their billable hours. From going old-school with pen and paper to using Excel spreadsheets, there are a lot of options, including using your iPhone. Time Master + Billing is one such app geared towards this purpose. Developed by On-Core Software LLC, Time Master isn't specifically designed for lawyers. Rather it's meant to be used by any hourly professional.

• 5 Ways to Speed Up Slow Law Firm Computer Boot Times

  Slow law firm computers are the bane of most attorneys' existence. The only thing worse is having to endure needlessly long boot times beforehand. The time loss can be brutal, but there are ways to speed up the process. While buying a new computer or more RAM can obviously solve the problem, not every lawyer or firm is willing to shell out for the upgrade. Thankfully though, there are alternative ways for attorneys to cut down their PC's boot time.

• Sign-N-Send Makes Electronically Signing Legal Docs a Breeze

  How many times have you left your office only to realize a couple of miles down the road that you forgot to sign that motion? If you were sans a laptop, than your only options were to either turn around or do it tomorrow. Sign-N-Send puts this problem to rest. Developed by Tipirneni Software LLC, this iOS app allows users to sign PDF and Microsoft Office documents on their iPhones or iPads. But does it work as advertised? Thankfully, it does.

• Should Lawyers Upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S III?

  Tech-loving lawyers rejoice, the Samsung Galaxy S III is nearly here. The South Korean company has just announced its latest addition to the Galaxy family. But for lawyers, is upgrading to the Galaxy S III worth it? Gadget junkies need not answer that question. It's more directed toward attorneys who value function over being able to make their fellow associates jealous. The Galaxy S III brings a number of changes to the popular line of Android smartphones.

• Why the BigLaw Business Model Should Be Put to Sleep

  Following legal industry juggernaut Dewey & LeBoeuf's fall from grace, BigLaw's future has never looked more grim. After all, if one of the largest law firms in the world could go belly up, what does that mean for every other BigLaw office? Just last December, Dewey employed over a thousand lawyers and had 26 locations around the world. Its annual revenue was close to $800 million. Now, a little over six months later, it's bankrupt.

• Is Court Days Pro Better Than Your Calendar App?

  Of the many pains that accompany being a lawyer, perhaps one of the biggest hassles is keeping track of dates. Court Days Pro for iOS seeks to remedy this problem. But is it worth leaving your regular non-lawyer calendar app? The program turns your iPhone, iPad, or other iOS device into a court date calculating machine. By inputting rules for various "trigger" events, Court Days Pro will be able to instantly create all the deadlines that accompany it.