Top 10 Creative Ways Lawyers Can Use an iPad

Law isn't considered an artistic profession, but that doesn't mean there aren't creative ways for lawyers to use an iPad.

An iPad is a powerful tool for a law office if you know how to use it well. Instead of carrying around multiple tools to get the job done, many attorneys have discovered that most of the time you only need one, as the website iPhone J.D. recently explained.

Maybe you're looking for more ways to use your office iPad, or maybe you've been considering whether it's worth the cost. To assist with your decision, we've collected our Top 10 ways that attorneys can use their iPads to improve their practice:

1. Off-site research tool. When you're out of the office, you don't have to carry your laptop around. For example, the WestlawNext app for iPad allows you to save cases and codes as PDFs, while the Thomson Reuters ProView app lets you annotate your e-books.


2. Note taking. Taking paper notes means you have to type them up later or have a messy file. Take them on the iPad and it only takes a click to add them to a client's file.


3. Documentation. The iPad's built-in camera means you can take pictures of an accident scene or take a video for future reference.


4. Scanner. You don't have to carry documents back and forth between a client and your office. The iPad's camera doubles as a scanner so you can keep documents without the clutter.


5. Going paperless. It's not just about the environment. Cutting down the amount of paper you use means fewer overhead costs. You can carry the documents in your iPad.


6. Staying in touch with clients. Face-to-face meetings are great, but if a client just wants to check in, you can set up a video-chat session so they can see you're paying attention.


7. Presenting the facts. You can easily put together a slideshow or video for opposing counsel about why you should settle rather than trying to explain it while they offer counter-arguments.


8. Figuring out locations. If a client tells you the accident happened at the neighbor's house, you can immediately find that location on a map and show it to him. From there you can figure out distances, obstructions, and other factors that will be important to your case, all on the iPad.


9. Dealing with documents in trial. Don't bring a huge folder of documents to your trial. Instead, use a trial organization app to keep everything together and looking sleek.


10. Saving on storage costs. When your client information is scanned in and saved on your iPad you can store the file on a removable hard drive in your office. No more renting storage space to hold all your boxes.

Related Resources:

• The iPad 2: Is it Right for Your Practice? (FindLaw's Technologist)
• Jury Selection iPad Apps Take Voir Dire to a New Level (FindLaw's Technologist)
• How to Find the Best Keyboard for Your iPad (FindLaw's Technologist)