It
has been over 3 years since I wrote this piece –
http://jasonkaykl.blogspot.my/2012/08/using-ipad-in-your-legal-practice.html –
I feel an update is in order. What I want to convey is merely what has worked
for me, and what hasn't. Let's start with the apps I've been using regularly
for work.
For
emails, I am still using the native MAIL app but now in tandem with INBOX BY
GMAIL. The reason I use the second app is because I need its "defer till
later" function which allows me to put aside unimportant emails which will
reappear in my inbox later in the day, the next day, the weekend, or to a
specific date and time, or (and this is cool but not really useful for me) to a
time when I arrive at a particular place (this is useful when I need, say, a
batch of emails to reappear in my inbox when I arrive at a particular location for
a meeting).
My
calendar is still the native CALENDAR app mostly. But since my phone is an
Android, I also have the GOOGLE CALENDAR app running because the
"schedule" view totally works for me.
For
word processing, I use the native NOTES app for quick pieces since basic
formatting is now available. I will only use PAGES when the need arises to edit
the raw text since anything pasted into PAGES is pasted as raw text, while
formatting is maintained when you paste into NOTES. I have not used the MICROSOFT
WORD app after trying it out for a month or two. But it is a good app. When
collaborating with other lawyers, I use GOOGLE DOCS because it allows for
realtime editing with collaborators and we can leave comments for each other.
This speeds up work tremendously.
When
preparing cases, I work mainly with scanned PDF of my files – annotating them
to remind myself of salient points in each case file. I still use PDF EXPERT.
It is, to me, the best app on my iPad. For organising the development for each
case file, I use EVERNOTE and devote 3 notes (usually) per file – chronology,
examination-in-chief/cross-examination flow/questions, and the submission flow.
Each case file gets a specific name, and I do not create individual folders for
each case file. What I do is use tags to remind me what each case is about, for
e.g. statute, court, active or closed case file, area of law, and anything that
will help me tap into research already done when preparing a future case. I use
the tag function as guideposts.
To
convert photos to PDF, I use SCANNER PRO, and I have PDF PRINTER on standby to
convert web pages to pdf (this can also be done with the 'save to PDF in
iBooks' function now available on the latest iOS).
I
still use DROPBOX and GOOGLE DRIVE for my cloud storage needs. iCloud is on by
default.
For instant messaging, I have WHATSAPP and TELEGRAM on the phone, and TELEGRAM on the
iPad. Having Telegram on both the iPad and phone is liberating because there is
the option of typing out longer messages (and it's easier to proofread on the
iPad), sending it to myself via Telegram, and then forward to others via
WhatsApp (which is the preferred app for most of the people on my contact
list). There is less chance of typographical errors. I also use ZELLO on
occasion – usually when coordinating large events or outings.
As
part of my continuing education, TED talks are still a staple. I use the
YOUTUBE app. Channels that I find particularly good are The RSA and The School
Of Life.
New
things that I currently use: IKEA's ISBERGET tablet stand. Cheap, and works
brilliantly when I'm conducting a case at court.
Things/Apps that I do not use anymore: The stylus. iPad works best with fingers. That
is its magic. As for all the other apps that I mentioned in the first article
but not in this, I don't/rarely use them anymore.
And
this article? Written on the iPad with the 2-thumb typing method, and final
editing using a laptop.
Explore
the apps mentioned in the article:-
- Inbox by Gmail – https://appsto.re/my/gcI81.i
- Google Calendar – https://appsto.re/my/8XXm2.i
- Pages – https://appsto.re/my/EysIv.i
- Microsoft Word – https://appsto.re/my/PWh9I.i
- Google Docs – https://appsto.re/my/qimpY.i
- PDF Expert 5 – https://appsto.re/my/nGcwS.i
- Evernote – https://appsto.re/my/m49Yq.i
- Scanner Pro – https://appsto.re/my/lva5t.i
- PDF Printer – https://appsto.re/my/QHkDz.i
- Dropbox – https://appsto.re/my/63ZHt.i
- Google Drive – https://appsto.re/my/Z2yrE.i
- WhatsApp – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whatsapp&hl=en
- Telegram Messenger – https://appsto.re/my/psM6O.i
- Zello – https://appsto.re/my/WcWsE.i
- YouTube – https://appsto.re/my/WxoBG.i
Jason Kay is a lawyer residing in Melaka. His interests include legal aid (YBGK) (Bar Council LegalAid Centres) and war crimes (Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal). He blogs at Open Letters, and tweets @JK_mlk
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