While the field of law may not be known for being particularly cutting-edge when it comes to tech, these days, any shortcut that saves time is worth looking into. For lawyers, who often need to travel or spend a significant amount of time going from courthouse to courthouse, a smartphone often acts as a computer on the go. When you’re building or sustaining a successful practice, it is not enough to simply be available, but it is essential to be productive and connected at all times. Whether your digital needs involve scanning documents and signatures, keeping track of your to-do list, researching legal cases, or communicating with clients when you are away from your desk, there are apps that can help you achieve them. In the material below, we’ve rounded up nine of the best smartphone apps that can be extremely useful for practicing attorneys.
Dropbox
Dropbox is a cloud-based storage provider that allows you to store and organize all of your documents online so they are easy to access any time and from any device. Files added to local dropbox folders on your desktop are synced across all devices, allowing you to pull them up on a smartphone or tablet. This means that with the Dropbox app, even when you are away from your desk, you can still access, view, and share all of the files that are saved to your dropbox folders.
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DLaw
DLaw (or Droid Law) is currently an Android-only app that calls itself “Android’s #1 legal reference tool for lawyers, law students and professionals.” Some of these resources are included for free, such as the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, and the U.S. Constitution. There are also paid resources available including State codes and laws, United State Supreme Court case opinions, and more. DLaw is a useful tool for those who have an Android device and are looking for an app that will allow them to do research on the go.
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GoodReader
GoodReader is a responsive document viewer for iPhone and iPad that allows you to perform a large range of tasks directly from your mobile device. With GoodReader, you can do many tasks, including annotating PDF, viewing maps, and watching video. Plus, it pairs nicely with Dropbox, allowing you to easily access all of your documents in a mobile-friendly version. Mashable calls this app “the swiss army knife of awesome,” which is a stellar endorsement in itself, and, if you need more convincing, just read the review. This is a newer product so it will be interesting to see how it develops and evolves in the future.
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CamScanner
With the CamScanner app, available for both iOS and Android devices, you can turn your phone or your tablet into a scanner. You can forget using your cumbersome, outdated, and most importantly - immobile - office scanner when you download the CamScanner app. Simply take a picture of whatever document you intend to scan. Then you can convert the image to text or PDF, print directly from your mobile device, synch your document across all devices, and share a document with your clients or co-counsel from anywhere.
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Square
For those who are looking to accept payments via credit card, Square makes the entire process simple and accessible. Download the app, and you’ll receive a free credit card reader that plugs directly into your phone or tablet. There is no monthly charge associated with the service - you will just be charged per transaction. Once a transaction is made, there will be an option to email the receipt to the purchaser. Take Square on the go with you or use it as your in-office credit card reader. This app makes accepting credit card payment easy for everyone.
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Docusign
Those who regularly use Docusign will understand the great benefit of having the ability to execute contracts when you are away from your desk. The Docusign mobile app allows you to confidently share and sign documents directly from your mobile device. Having the power to safely and securely send an important document to a client for a signature while you are away from your office can save a lot of time during the day. Docusign is used by both companies and professionals everywhere, from the content writer pros at lexiconlegalcontent.com to Fortune 500 law conglomerates.
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LogMeIn
Do you have a feeling of dread when you leave your office for an entire day when you think about losing access to all of the documents stored on your desktop computer? With the LogMeIn app, you can access your office PC from your iPad.
This means that any files that are saved on your desktop can now be pulled up on your iPad when you are traveling or away from the office. Did you forget to print an important document before heading out the door to court? LogMeIn can help keep you connected to all of your files wherever you may be.
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Fastcase
If you have ever wished you could quickly and easily reference a case while you are away from your desk, there is now a solution, and it’s free. The Fastcase app gives you access to the full Fastcase law library. You can search for state and federal legal cases with Fastcase and do research on the go. Now you can rest easy if you forgot your research at your office or missed a piece of information, as it is all available on your mobile device through the Fastcase app.
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WestlawNext
Another powerful research tool is Westlaw Next, an app developed by Thomson Reuters. This app is a great resource for those who want to conduct legal research while away from the office or law library. There are other features of this app that make it even more valuable, including the option to quick check your briefs. If you are curious about this app, Thomson Reuters offer a free trial, so it’s worth checking out.
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A Brief Note Regarding Ethics and Apps
As an attorney, it’s important to keep in mind that you have an ethical duty to keep client information confidential. The advent of cloud computing has raised some questions as to whether lawyers can ethically store client information in the cloud. Above the Law reports that since 2010, more than 20 state bars have considered the issue and determined that they can, and the lack of recent controversy regarding it seems to indicate that it has become an accepted part of legal practice. That said, be sure to consider your ethical obligations and check with your state bar before making a significant technological change to the way you store and communicate confidential information.
Apps Can Make You a More Efficient Attorney
While there are only a certain number of hours in the day, there are so many different ways to increase productivity and remain connected to all of your work wherever you are. The next time you’re on your phone between appointments, take a look to see if any of the apps listed here can make a difference in your day-to-day business
