My new iPad!

So, this Christmas I was fortunate enough to have a family member that decided I should get an iPad.  I must admit that when these tablets came out I didn't really understand the concept.  I have an iPod Touch, and an iPhone, and the iPad is just one of those things only bigger, right?

Well, it only occurred to me recently how much more practical size alone can make this device.  With the iPad, I can actually pull a document up and read it without having to zoom and bring it right up to my face.

My first week with the iPad has proven successful.  There are a number of iPad-specific blogs dedicated to lawyers (to my surprise) that informed me on some of the must-have apps for use in and out of the courtroom.  Here's a run-down on how I have started to use this amazing piece of equipment:

Tuesday:  I had a Motions calendar to attend in criminal court, with two cases on the docket.  Using GoodReader for iPad ($4.99) I was able to import the court calendar as a pdf and write on the document with the integrated tools of the app.  I can now save my markups, email them, or toss them, all without using a piece of paper OR wasting ink.  Also in use on Monday was Penultimate ($0.99), which is a legal pad app more akin to Moleskine notebooks.  You can write with your finger or stylus just as a notepad, and also save or email whole notebooks or single pages.

Wednesday:  I subscribe to Rocket Matter law practice management, which is a fantastic cloud-based program.  With the iPad, I don't need to lug around my Macbook to access my client files.  With the iPad, I can access full page websites and actually see them without zoom.  It made my Starbucks run at lunch a bit more productive.

Thursday:  Using Wunderlist HD (free), I am able to sync my to-do lists across all my devices.  The app works for iPad and the iPhone, but it's all just so much better to use with the bigger screen.  That late-night brainstorming session I had last night with the iPad has paid off because now I don't have to remember what genius idea I had at 2:00 am!

So far, so good.  I'll keep you posted on my quest to print less paper and keep my files slim and trim.

JD

John D. Duncan is president of J.D. Duncan, PC, founding partner of Prater, Duncan & Craig, LLC in Newnan, Georgia, and is Esquire by Day.  You can find him at www.jdduncanlaw.com, or follow him on twitter and Facebook.