A Wireless Practice

As I proceeded through the trial, each passing day provided further evidence of the benefits of having my mobile office at my grasp within the iPad. While opposing counsel dug for paper documents, I instantly accessed documents and presented them on a monitor for the judge and courtroom to see. When a legal point was presented to which I disagreed, while standing in front of the judge and without even turning my head, I pulled up the supportive content on WestlawNext and e-mailed it to the bench while explaining its relevance. Ultimately, we won the trial ' yielding the positive results for our clients in the most effective manner possible. This was all I needed ' the end goal ' a win for our clients. Moving forward, it was my goal to ensure that this same mobile practice was used throughout the firm.

My specialization is workers compensation litigation, and I maintain a very high case load while also being very involved in the administration of the firm. Being remotely connected means that I am always working, always on the clock, and I expect that same level of dedication from my entire legal and administrative team. Something as simple as an app to read documents to me in the car, an app to create complex legal documents, or an app for legal research enables me to multitask at a high level, and frees staff to focus on other areas, such as frequent communication with our clients, since client service is at the top of our list of priorities.

Transforming the Office Culture

After six months of using the iPad exclusively, I met with administration to put into place a plan to roll out an iPad to each of our attorneys; the iPad would essentially replace the use of the laptop in an effort to have more instant access to information and ease of mobility. With the purchase of the iPads came high expectations of improved productivity and efficiencies. Together with IT and administration, we implemented training plans, checklists to ensure proper use, meetings to review best practices, etc. As the partner leading this technology charge, I expect all of our staff to be charging along with me, so it is my responsibility to ensure that they are all provided with the tools and training necessary to utilize this new technology and culture shift.

To stay current on new apps and developments, our staff reads technology blogs like iPhoneJD and TabletLegal. We also schedule an off-site meeting each year for “forward thinking” about the firm. During this time, we offer extensive training, open the floor for collaborative thinking and ensure that we remain unified in our firm vision of excellence in defense through the use of efficient practices and models (this year, technology and the iPad was the focus). This is clearly a large investment, but I have come to find that investment in technology (when implemented effectively) can reap large rewards.

The Mobile World Uncovered

I am frequently asked three questions about becoming a mobile lawyer: how long did it take you to get to this point, what about security, and what are your favorite apps?

Like most firms, MKRS wanted to go green and reduce the use of paper in our practice. In 2005, we started an aggressive policy of scanning all documents into a case management system. To this end, we chose, and have been pleased with, the “Client Profiles” system to store and organize our electronic documents. To support this initiative, we adopted cloud technology in 2011, enabling full access to documents anywhere there is wireless access. We use Dropbox and PocketCloud, and we also make sure to have a redundancy of back-ups built into our office files and on the cloud service.

Today, MKRS works in a nearly paperless system. All notes, client letters, documents and legal research are saved to the cloud. Through these steps we have become a radically mobile and remote work force.

Lucky 13

I couldn't complete the complex legal work that I do without what I like to call my “Lucky 13″ list of necessary apps.

1. GoodReader

My indispensable “Swiss army knife” of apps, GoodReader provides the best PDF viewing/commenting capability, combined with document management and synchronization. It provides encryption and sync capability for true offline and secure document access. I save all relevant documents and can read and review them at any time. In a significant case I tried last year, we had thousands of pages of depositions, expert testimony, exhibits and pictures to review. The case with multiple boxes was won in part because I had everything at my fingertips, saved chronologically on my iPad.

2. TrialPad

I think in most trials you can present more effectively and dramatically without paper. TrialPad is the cornerstone app for a trial presentation utility and produces high-quality images and video, which are tailored for trial ' great for photo exhibits, surveillance footage or other video. You can highlight, write on or make a call-out box of selected text for the courtroom to view.

3. Dropbox

This is a cloud service that synchronizes selected files and folders with an iPhone or iPad. When combined with GoodReader, it allows for a true paperless experience in and out of the office.

4. PocketCloud

PocketCloud provides desktop remote, secure access back to the corporate system.

5. WestlawNext

WestlawNext offers instant, on-the-go access for up-to-the-minute case law, statute and secondary information. The WestSearch capability is unmatched, and as a research service it is constantly improving based on customer feedback. It integrates well with TrialPad. To have at my fingertips the equivalent of the national law library is a huge advantage and levels the playing field between large and small practitioners.

6. Penultimate or Notability

These are digital replacements of the yellow legal pad ' with unlimited pages. Penultimate provides simple, quick writing capability, while Notability includes tools for more extensive note taking, including audio and text.

7. PDFXpert

This is another PDF editing application, similar to GoodReader, with the addition of instant digital signature insertion.

8. Dictamus

This is complete Dictaphone replacement, providing instant, secure and effortless dictation, and allows for hands-free (Bluetooth) connectivity for convenience.

9. Office HD

This is not a full replacement app, but provides Microsoft Office capability on the go with 90% of its document viewing and editing functionality.

10. Keynote

This provides fun, intuitive and easy-to-create presentations that are easy to edit and manipulate. A great PowerPoint replacement.

11. TranscriptPad

A new addition and supplement to TrialPad, allowing the importation of text-based deposition documents. Color-coded “tabbing” allows for instant access to categorized information based on speaker.

12. Print and Share

Not only “air print capable printers” with print-to-almost-any-printer capability, but also any network printer on our network, with the print server add-in.

13. Instapaper

Allows for convenient “read later” bookmarking of documentation and synchronizes between devices (computer, iPad, iPhone, Kindle, etc.). Great for reading on planes or areas with no Internet connection.

Practicing Remotely

Practicing remotely doesn't mean doing everything alone; it means I am fully operational ' whether I'm on a boat on the ocean or in the courtroom. To serve our clients, my staff and I need full access to content. Our green and mobile commitment reduces overhead and increases efficiency while traveling through very difficult economic times.

When I am presenting about mobility at conferences, I often hear: “Wow! I had no idea you could do all that with the iPad.” I am surprised the attendees don't ask how my fellow partners felt about such a major move. As the managing partner, I value the input from my fellow equity partners. I know that getting full partner buy-in is what holds back many law firms from progress. Luckily, my partners agree that we can operate remotely.

What's most exciting for us is that we see the technological wave that is significantly transforming our lives and businesses. We are glad to be riding that same wave in a very secure and well-stocked technology vessel.

In a world driven by technology yet somehow tied down by the fear of change, I found myself committed to making Miller, Kagan, Rodriguez & Silver (MKRS) stand out as a productive mobile practice ' one that could reap all the benefits of technology but maintain camaraderie, efficiency and productivity.

While technology has always been at the forefront of my concerns as the Managing Partner, I bore witness to its true impact and accepted its feasibility during a trial last year. As opposing counsel shuffled through boxes of paper and filled the courtroom with staff for the sole purpose of carrying documents, I was able to handle the entire trial with my iPad and its infinite resources at my fingertips.

Remotely Connected

As I proceeded through the trial, each passing day provided further evidence of the benefits of having my mobile office at my grasp within the iPad. While opposing counsel dug for paper documents, I instantly accessed documents and presented them on a monitor for the judge and courtroom to see. When a legal point was presented to which I disagreed, while standing in front of the judge and without even turning my head, I pulled up the supportive content on WestlawNext and e-mailed it to the bench while explaining its relevance. Ultimately, we won the trial ' yielding the positive results for our clients in the most effective manner possible. This was all I needed ' the end goal ' a win for our clients. Moving forward, it was my goal to ensure that this same mobile practice was used throughout the firm.

My specialization is workers compensation litigation, and I maintain a very high case load while also being very involved in the administration of the firm. Being remotely connected means that I am always working, always on the clock, and I expect that same level of dedication from my entire legal and administrative team. Something as simple as an app to read documents to me in the car, an app to create complex legal documents, or an app for legal research enables me to multitask at a high level, and frees staff to focus on other areas, such as frequent communication with our clients, since client service is at the top of our list of priorities.

Transforming the Office Culture

After six months of using the iPad exclusively, I met with administration to put into place a plan to roll out an iPad to each of our attorneys; the iPad would essentially replace the use of the laptop in an effort to have more instant access to information and ease of mobility. With the purchase of the iPads came high expectations of improved productivity and efficiencies. Together with IT and administration, we implemented training plans, checklists to ensure proper use, meetings to review best practices, etc. As the partner leading this technology charge, I expect all of our staff to be charging along with me, so it is my responsibility to ensure that they are all provided with the tools and training necessary to utilize this new technology and culture shift.

To stay current on new apps and developments, our staff reads technology blogs like iPhoneJD and TabletLegal. We also schedule an off-site meeting each year for “forward thinking” about the firm. During this time, we offer extensive training, open the floor for collaborative thinking and ensure that we remain unified in our firm vision of excellence in defense through the use of efficient practices and models (this year, technology and the iPad was the focus). This is clearly a large investment, but I have come to find that investment in technology (when implemented effectively) can reap large rewards.

The Mobile World Uncovered

I am frequently asked three questions about becoming a mobile lawyer: how long did it take you to get to this point, what about security, and what are your favorite apps?

Like most firms, MKRS wanted to go green and reduce the use of paper in our practice. In 2005, we started an aggressive policy of scanning all documents into a case management system. To this end, we chose, and have been pleased with, the “Client Profiles” system to store and organize our electronic documents. To support this initiative, we adopted cloud technology in 2011, enabling full access to documents anywhere there is wireless access. We use Dropbox and PocketCloud, and we also make sure to have a redundancy of back-ups built into our office files and on the cloud service.

Today, MKRS works in a nearly paperless system. All notes, client letters, documents and legal research are saved to the cloud. Through these steps we have become a radically mobile and remote work force.

Lucky 13

I couldn't complete the complex legal work that I do without what I like to call my “Lucky 13″ list of necessary apps.

1. GoodReader

My indispensable “Swiss army knife” of apps, GoodReader provides the best PDF viewing/commenting capability, combined with document management and synchronization. It provides encryption and sync capability for true offline and secure document access. I save all relevant documents and can read and review them at any time. In a significant case I tried last year, we had thousands of pages of depositions, expert testimony, exhibits and pictures to review. The case with multiple boxes was won in part because I had everything at my fingertips, saved chronologically on my iPad.

2. TrialPad

I think in most trials you can present more effectively and dramatically without paper. TrialPad is the cornerstone app for a trial presentation utility and produces high-quality images and video, which are tailored for trial ' great for photo exhibits, surveillance footage or other video. You can highlight, write on or make a call-out box of selected text for the courtroom to view.

3. Dropbox

This is a cloud service that synchronizes selected files and folders with an iPhone or iPad. When combined with GoodReader, it allows for a true paperless experience in and out of the office.

4. PocketCloud

PocketCloud provides desktop remote, secure access back to the corporate system.

5. WestlawNext

WestlawNext offers instant, on-the-go access for up-to-the-minute case law, statute and secondary information. The WestSearch capability is unmatched, and as a research service it is constantly improving based on customer feedback. It integrates well with TrialPad. To have at my fingertips the equivalent of the national law library is a huge advantage and levels the playing field between large and small practitioners.

6. Penultimate or Notability

These are digital replacements of the yellow legal pad ' with unlimited pages. Penultimate provides simple, quick writing capability, while Notability includes tools for more extensive note taking, including audio and text.

7. PDFXpert

This is another PDF editing application, similar to GoodReader, with the addition of instant digital signature insertion.

8. Dictamus

This is complete Dictaphone replacement, providing instant, secure and effortless dictation, and allows for hands-free (Bluetooth) connectivity for convenience.

9. Office HD

This is not a full replacement app, but provides Microsoft Office capability on the go with 90% of its document viewing and editing functionality.

10. Keynote

This provides fun, intuitive and easy-to-create presentations that are easy to edit and manipulate. A great PowerPoint replacement.

11. TranscriptPad

A new addition and supplement to TrialPad, allowing the importation of text-based deposition documents. Color-coded “tabbing” allows for instant access to categorized information based on speaker.

12. Print and Share

Not only “air print capable printers” with print-to-almost-any-printer capability, but also any network printer on our network, with the print server add-in.

13. Instapaper

Allows for convenient “read later” bookmarking of documentation and synchronizes between devices (computer, iPad, iPhone, Kindle, etc.). Great for reading on planes or areas with no Internet connection.

Practicing Remotely

Practicing remotely doesn't mean doing everything alone; it means I am fully operational ' whether I'm on a boat on the ocean or in the courtroom. To serve our clients, my staff and I need full access to content. Our green and mobile commitment reduces overhead and increases efficiency while traveling through very difficult economic times.

When I am presenting about mobility at conferences, I often hear: “Wow! I had no idea you could do all that with the iPad.” I am surprised the attendees don't ask how my fellow partners felt about such a major move. As the managing partner, I value the input from my fellow equity partners. I know that getting full partner buy-in is what holds back many law firms from progress. Luckily, my partners agree that we can operate remotely.

What's most exciting for us is that we see the technological wave that is significantly transforming our lives and businesses. We are glad to be riding that same wave in a very secure and well-stocked technology vessel.