So I was one of those dorks waiting in line at 6am on Saturday morning when the iPad launched.
I had my new “toy” in time to attempt to run my Advocacy II trial from it. I looked at a lot of apps that might make this possible but I settled on ReaddleDocs. Having successfully completed my trial using only the iPad, I’m very happy with its performance (and with ReaddleDocs).
ReaddleDocs is capable of reading pretty much any file format you throw at it. You can also mount it like a wireless network drive, or sync it through an online storage program like Dropbox. I’ve used both methods, and they both work flawlessly. I prefer the Dropbox method because I can edit my files on my laptop and then sync them to the iPad without any added effort.
The other nice thing about both methods is that Readdle preserves the folder structure. What I mean by that is that I had a bunch of depositions in my “depositions” folder under my “Cooper v. Bennett” main directory, and when I imported it into Readdle, that file system was maintained, so I didn’t have to organize my files.
The other nice feature is bookmarking. For my crosses, I had page and line bookmarked to depositions for impeachment purposes. Of course, there are tons of other uses for bookmarking in the legal profession, but that’s how I’ve used it so far.
So those of you considering dropping the money for an iPad or those of you who are just curious about this $600 tablet of awesomeness, feel free to ask questions in the comments. I’ve spent a lot of time researching it, playing with it, and buying a ton of apps, and I might just have the answer.
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I’m curious to know exactly how well it helped you prepare, and how you compare it specifically to hard copy preparations for trials. I’m intrigued, but skeptical. But I’m willing to give it a shot if it is truly possible.
@pscrawfo, I wouldn’t say that I really used it to prepare so much as I used it in lieu of a trial notebook.
That said, I did use it for witness prep, and it was great to have everything including evidence and pleadings handy without having lugging around tons of file folders and 3 ring binders.
First, I’m really curious about other ways you’ve been able to use the iPad around the law school. I predominantly take my lecture notes on my MBP and don’t think I could get away from using a graphical keyboard instead of the hardware one. Maybe handwritten notes on the iPad is a solution?
Second, following the logic above, have you come across any iPad apps that work similar to the old palm graffiti that translates your handwriting into text?
@Scottie, I’ve actually been using it as a laptop replacement for note-taking. I don’t think I could use the graphical keyboard for much aside from short emails and SMS (yeah, there’s an app for that).
If you look at the picture above, you’ll see the keyboard accessory that I use for pretty much everything. It plugs into the charger and you can charge the iPad while using it to type. It also doubles as a nice stand. Alternatively, the iPad is compatible with any basic Bluetooth keyboard.
In answer to your second question, I don’t know of any graffiti-style apps. My intuition is that since it allows for hardware keyboards, and the virtual keyboard is a reasonable on-the-go alternative, no one has really seen a need to produce one.
@Scottie, I should add that I own Pages for the iPad, and it is sort of crippled. Using multi-level lists is simply unbearable, and no one is going to be able to outline until they add a shortcut for indenting or outdenting multi-level lists.
If you had used it for cross examination and had to question a witness about a prior statement how would you have used it? Would you have been permitted to bring the pad up to the witness?
@Axel Jones, So that’s exactly what I did. I essentially had my questions up in a document with a reference to the page and line where the inconsistent statement would be found on the deposition. I could then use my bookmarks to bring up the section, or if I already knew what it said, I could have my co-counsel bring up pre-prepared blown up excerpts from the deposition using TrialDirector.
The judge was a PA Common Pleas judge, and he didn’t have any problem with letting me read the statement from my iPad while the witness looked on. I don’t really know of any local rules that would prevent such a thing off the top of my head.
Could you give us something along the lines of a comparison? My first thought upon seeing your iPad propped up next to a hardware keyboard was that you’re essentially using it as a conventional laptop. The post is titled “iPad for Lawyers and Law Students”; it would be nice to hear about what your new toy does that is especially helpful to us (i.e., does the touch screen add anything useful), and how it serves our needs better or worse than a laptop or ultraportable.
My question is much the same as Angry Sam’s,
In what way does is it more helpful as apposed to laptop?
What have you found to be the best note taking app. I’ve got several including smart note and paper desk -neither does everything I’m looking for ie write, type, correct and allow export of complete document. Thoughts?
i am planning to buy an iPad since it looks lighter than a regular desknote and i don not use much of the features of a laptop.’-,
iPad is way too cool to own, i wanna buy one next month.-:`
my girlfriend is going to give me an ipad on my birthday this month.;-~
@Joshua Auriemma, I used mine last week and actually handed it to a Common Pleas Judge to cite a local rule that I found on Safari on the Court’s own website.
@Kevin F. Danyi, JD, LLM, Hah, that’s great. I know at least a few Common Pleas judges who would be amused by that.
Hey Joshua,
I’m going to be starting law school in January and I am thinking about buying an iPad over the weekend. I’ve been looking at some of the note-taking applications and into a stylus that makes handwriting more convenient on the iPad screen. At least that was ONE use I could think of.
Another was typing up case summaries and class notes on my laptop and reading them on the iPad. I’ve been hearing great things about the iPad as a reading tool. I wanted your opinion on how PRACTICAL you think the iPad would be for studying in law school.
I know in the article you mentioned it isn’t a great tool just yet, but has your opinion changed throughout the months?
Thanks for your time. I hope to hear from you soon because your opinion will HIGHLY influence my decision to get one!
- Karan
@Karan, forget about a stylus for writing. The touch technology is capacitive, which means that your stylus will be like writing with an eraser. Handwriting on the iPad really makes no sense unless you’re writing math (where it’s probably mandatory). There’s not much of a need to diagram in law classes either.
The biggest issue is the lack of tab functionality. Since I wrote this article, I found out that most applications can’t appropriately use the tab key for whatever reason. You probably don’t appreciate it now, but navigating through multilevel lists is something you’re going to do 10,000 times a day, guaranteed. Without an ability to quickly do that, you’re sort of boned.
The new iOS 4 iPad still isn’t out yet, and I think it’ll only mildly ameliorate my concerns (now that I’ve used it extensively with my iPhone 4).
Also, you’re going to need (even if it’s optional) a laptop for finals because whatever software they use probably isn’t going to be supported on iPad.
I do <3 my iPad though — I just think the software isn’t ready to replace laptops in the law school classroom.
Good luck in the fall!
Hi Josh,
I am a 2L. I have been boasting about my new iPad to a Professor. She has now invited me to speak at a faculty meeting about the future of the iPad in our law school. They are thinking of eventually having all students receive one their 1L year (I am sure they will build it into the tuition price).
Anyway, I was wondering if you could give me any insightful information. I really haven’t been using it for law school stuff. I lug my big laptop to classes. My iPad is great for traveling and kicking back but not so much for note taking (I haven’t bought a full size keyboard yet). And Lexis searches seem to go to never never land after a bit – even though I have the 64GB model.
So, because I value your opinion – what are your thoughts on the future of iPad and Law School students? Are we still a couple of years away from having all our text books online, and all the necessary apps running smoothly?
Thanks so much!
Katie
i gave my girlfriend an ipad and she was very very happy`.`
i am really dying to buy an iPad but it is so damn exepnsive in my opnion`*.
books online are great, wether they are e-books or conventional hardbound and paperback books ,,.
my ipad have some display problems and i cannot fix the damn thing *-~
I just purchased a case that has a full sized ipad keyboard built in it. It has a 3 year rechargeable battery
that charges from a laptop or desktop.
It seems to make everything much better, especially for pages.
@Nancy, funny you should say that — I just got one as a Christmas present :D
Looking good so far.
Josh,
What has been your experience regarding the availability of law text (and case texts) on the ibookstore. (for use on the ipad)
Thanks
@Micah R, when I was still in school, there was essentially nothing. It’s going to take some time for Aspen to hop off their stupid proprietary DRM kick.
If I had to bet money, I’d say we’ll see these texts on Amazon (for Kindle) first. That’s fine, since there’s a great Kindle app on the iPad.
The iBookstore is kind of a flop right now though, it seems.
This was possibly the stupidest, most uninformative post I have ever read. You seriously think that talking about ONE specific app is reason enough to buy an iPad? Are you making money off of each iPad sold? Then why in God’s gracious name would you write such crap? Hope your little “trial” went well.
I feel a bit…umm…off…when THIS kind of stuff shows up in the Top 10 Google Results for a search for something along the lines of “best iPad/iPhone apps for lawyers.”
Hi there. I am a rising 2L and am going to be using my iPad for law school from now on. So far, it looks like Notability is going to be my go-to app for note taking: it supports folder and sub-folder organization, has a handy search function, and lets you record audio notes. The audio notes sync with the text so you can record a lecture (if your professor allows this) and then tap on any word in your note to take you to that exact spot in the recording when you typed that word… if that makes sense. My favorite part, however, is that the app supports rich text (bold, italics, etc.) and allows the use of bullets and numbered lists, so outlining is a cinch. You can also import pictures and draw diagrams. Apparently soon you can import PDFs. It also has Dropbox support, and you can email, print, etc. your notes.
If your law school provides you with a Westlaw Next subscription, the Westlaw Next app is wonderful on the iPad. I’m hoping to use it to read cases at home so I don’t always have to lug my heavy books back and forth. It would be nice to leave them in my locker at school after I’ve looked up what cases to read for the night. Your “Favorites” sections syncs with your wed-based Westlaw Next account.
Pages is a nice resume and cover-letter app, but forget about it for memos and briefs: it doesn’t support footnotes. As far as I’m aware, no app has this capability yet, which is a shame.
I use Evernote to keep track of my schedule, book lists, registration numbers, etc. It syncs with the iPhone, web, Mac, and PC versions. iStudiez Pro is great for remembering your readings, and it syncs with the iPhone companion app so you never forget what pages to read when you get home. Lastly, I use Appigo ToDo to remember little things like turning in certain forms or paying certain school fees. If you pay for the premium service ($20 per year), it syncs with the iPhone and Mac apps, sold separately. I’m not sure if the service will be moot, however, when the iCloud arrives or if it will still be necessary.
Sorry for the long, rambling late-night post. I hope some of this is useful information!
Happy lawyering!
My husband is a practicing trial attorney who just launched a new iPad jury selection app that we think law students in trial advocacy might like to tool around with as well as any practicing trial attorney would want. JuryStar hit the iPad App Store in August. Apple will let us provide educational institutions a deep discount on our JuryStar iPad app – pls. contact me directly for details. We also offer a legal app incubator and a groundbreaking partnership with the nation’s leading jury consulting firm DecisionQuest. Learn more at litigatortechnology.com. We’d love your feedback on the direction of our young legal tech company, especially from law students and recent grads, which is why I find myself commenting on Legal Geekery post from 2010 :-)
Thanks for having me,
Nancy
Nancy Patterson
COO, Litigator Technology
nmpatters@gmail.com
litigatortechnology.com
Tweeting @Nmpatters
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