The Mac Lawyer : Ben Stevens : Using Macs In The Practice Of Law

On a general legal listserv to which I subscribe, someone recently stated that he was considering switching to a Mac and asked for feedback/suggestions.  Attorney Robert B. Ransom of Leventis & Ransom in Columbia, SC provided the answer listed below.  Because I was so impressed with its insight and thoroughness, I asked Rob to let me use it as a "guest post" here on The Mac Lawyer.  Rob graciously agreed, and here is how he answered that question:

First, you definitely should get a Mac.  I suggest the 17" MacBook Pro.  It is absolutely unstoppable.  Every time I show up in court or at a mediation with a laptop presentation, opposing counsel gets seriously jealous.  It's a lot of fun to sit and effortlessly run through my presentation using the MacBook Pro's remote control, and then watch opposing counsel fumble around like a blind old woman trying to get his/her stone-aged PowerPoint presentation to run correctly. 

Plus, Mac has a presentation software called Keynote that is really just unbelievable in terms of simplicity of use and power of features.  I had one defendant offer to pay me an additional $5,000 at mediation if I would let its lawyer have a copy of my presentation.  Charts, text, motion, photos, video, you name it, it's drag-and-drop easy.  I won't even mention things like iTunes, iPhoto, Final Cut, Safari, etc. other than to say they are soooo much better than what you can get on a PC.

Second, you may have some technical issues to overcome interfacing with a Windows server, I have not tried that.  However, the new Macs with the Intel chip sets (Duo Core) are capable of running the Windows XP Pro operating system on the Mac hardware so it should work (don't know about Windows Vista, but hey, when is Vista actually going to get released??)  Right now, running XP Pro is done by downloading a free program called BootCamp. 

Mac is expected to release the latest version of its OS X operating system, called OS X Leopard, in March; Leopard will allow you to run XP Pro natively on the Mac so you don't have to download BootCamp.  This is extremely significant because right now the only plausible reason for buying a PC is that a Mac won't run all the Microsoft software products commonly in use by most offices.  Well, with Bootcamp / Leopard and the new Intel chips, that is no longer the case.  The Mac will run everything you can run on a PC, while the PC will not run anything that runs on a Mac.  So why buy a PC and rule out using a large universe of available software?  Plus, PC software sucks compared to what a Mac will do.

My own personal opinion is that Windows Vista will only be a cheap imitation of Mac OS X.  The reviews I have read all say as much.  Accept no substitutes.  Get a Mac, you will never look back.  It's like the difference between a computer and a stone tablet.  Viruses??  No such thing on a Mac.  PC crash and have to be rebooted repeatedly?  Almost never happens on a Mac.  Go to another office and want to make your laptop hook up to the wireless internet?  Good luck on a PC.  With a Mac, open the laptop and you're connected.  I could go on and on.

Rob "Mac" Ransom
Leventis & Ransom
Columbia, SC

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

"Bigger is better" -- or so the myth says.  However, there is also a saying that "there is an exception to every rule."  AppleMatters recently published an article which explained how and why Apple is it in this case.  Consider these excerpts from this article:

• Apple commands about 5 percent of the U.S. computer market share and about 2 percent worldwide. Apple's small slice provided just that, allowing them to introduce new products to a wide but limited audience, providing real world results and further optimizing future products.
• The word proprietary is often associated with restriction, incompatibility, and unsupported. In the long run, Apple's use of proprietary systems has not only created revolutions and evolutions, but has proven that proprietary systems can offer a lot for consumers, more than they think.
• Many have criticized Apple because Mac OS X will only run on a Macintosh with most Macs supposedly out of their price range (although whether a Mac is more expensive than a PC could be debunked). And one could argue that quality does not come cheap.
• With OS X running only on the Mac platform, Apple has unique advantages over other manufacturers, including Microsoft. Apple is in control of their hardware and can tailor OS X for full optimization on each machine. Apple also has the opportunity to create simple and seamless transitions no other company would consider.

Source: "Why Apple's Proprietary System and Small Market Share Are a Good Thing" by Tanner Godarzi, published at AppleMatters.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

I have been a huge fan of "24" since its very first episode.  It is one of the most creative and unique shows on network television, and it continues to be as fresh and interesting today as it was when it premiered.

So, what does this have to do with Macs?  Chris' Blog pointed out on 24, "the good guys use Macs and the bad guys use Windows. You can draw many conclusions from that...."  I'm just glad that Jack Bauer is on our (the Mac users') side....

Source:  "Mac vs Windows on 24" by Chris Johnston, published at Chris' Blog.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks

Today, I am pleased to present a guest post from one of my readers, Robert E. Nuddleman, Esq. of San Jose, California which explains how to protect files on USB "thumb" drives.  Robert has used Macs in his practice for about six years, and he says that he is "continually amazed with the performance versus Windows."  He is also a blogger, and you should check out his Employment Law Blog.  Without further adieu, here is Robert's guest post:

Many attorneys use USB thumb drives to transport files from one computer to another.  As the federal government can tell you, however, losing the thumb drive can have serious consequences.  You do not want to face disciplinary proceedings because that confidential memo was lost and recovered by someone savvy enough to get it into the wrong hands.  The best option is to encrypt the data on the thumbdrive.

While there are a plethora of programs and methods for protecting files on a USB thumb drive if you are using a Windows machine, there are very few options for Mac users.  You can find a third party program on versiontracker.com or you can create an encrypted disk image using Mac's native Disk Utility.  After I tried a couple of third party programs I was not satisfied so I decided to give Disk Utility a try.  After reading a few tutorials, I figured it out and it's a lot easier than I thought.

Launching into the how-to, it can be helpful to understand Disk Images.  If you ever downloaded a Mac program and installed it, you are familiar with Disk Images.  A Disk Image is a .dmg file that contains the applications or documents that you drag and drop into your applications folder. A Disk Image acts like a folder where you can put files, applications, folders, etc.  Disk Images have many uses, including creating an encrypted file that you can use to transfer confidential information.

So, here's how to create an encrypted Disk Image on your thumbdrive that you can use to easily transport confidential information.  Please note that I am running OS X 10.3.9, and the exact method may be a little different if you are running OS X 10.4.

1. Put your thumbdrive into your USB port.
2. Open Disk Utility (under Applications --> Utilities).
3. From the top menu, choose Images, then New, then Blank Image.
4. In the "Save As" box, choose the file name for your Disk Image.  I like to use the size of the Disk Image as a file name because I have several different-sized thumbdrives and I have a different Disk Image for each drive.
5. Choose where you will save the Disk Image file.  I like to save it right onto the thumbdrive, but you can save it to your harddrive and copy it later if you'd like.  If you are saving it directly to your thumbdrive, it may be a good idea to remove any files from the thumbdrive.
6. On the "Size" dropdown menu, I usually choose "Custom" and then designate the size of the file.  There are defaults for various sizes.  I like to make the Disk Image slightly smaller than the full capacity of the thumbdrive (i.e., if I have a 1 gigabyte drive I will make a 900 megabyte Disk Image).  That way I can transfer some files without using the disk image if I want.  You can choose any size file you want and you can place more than one Disk Image on your thumbdrive.
7. Under "Encryption", choose AES-128.  This is a fairly high level of encryption.  The federal government certified AES-128 for classified information at the secret level.  Top Secret requires AES-192 or AES-156, but 128-bit encryption is plenty powerful.
8. Under "Format", choose read/write Disk Image, then click on "Create".
9. Disk Utility will create the Disk Image and ask you for a password.  Choose your password carefully because if you lose the password you will not be able to recover the data.  You have to input the password twice to make sure you don't make any mistakes.  Secure passwords do not use words that can be found in a dictionary and are best if they have a combination of upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers and symbols.
10. You can choose to add the password to your keychain, which will mean you do not have to input the password to open the file when attached to the computer you used to create the Disk Image, but you will have to input the password to open the file on any other computer.  If you do not add the password to your keychain, you will have to input the password every time you open the Disk Image even if you open it with the computer you used to create the Disk Image.
11. Your Disk Image is now complete so you can close Disk Utilities.

When you open the Finder, you will see the newly created Disk Image mounted on your system (i.e., it will have an eject button that will unmount the drive when you are done).  You can now drag and drop any files you want onto the Disk Image.  You can work directly off the Disk Image so you don't have to worry about copying the files back and forth. Simply open the files the same way you would as if it were on any other drive.

When you are done, you simply eject the Disk Image.  Note: You must eject the Disk Image before you eject the USB drive.  Otherwise you'll get a warning telling you that the Disk is in use.  You can now carry your USB thumbdrive without worrying about falling into the wrong hands.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (7)
• Trackbacks (1)

It has been a little over five months since I lauched this blog.  I have received a lot of positive feedback and support from my readers during that time, and for that I am truly grateful.  These comments have come from places such as California, Texas, and even the British West Indies.  Here is a sampling:

• Gerry Riskin of the renowned Amazing Firms, Amazing Practices blog even featured my blog with a post titled "A Gift for Lawyers Who Use Macs"
• Bob Eisenbach of In The (Red): The Business Bankruptcy Blog wrote "I wanted to compliment you on your blog, which is very well done and has been most helpful to me, a new Mac user."
• Chuck Newton noted my site's new design on his blog in a post titled "The Mac Lawyer Has A New Look" in which he wrote "Ben Stevens' head is as sleek and modern and stylish as any Mac."

Other comments from readers include:

• "Your site is just what I've been looking for."  ::  Thomas Brown
• "Your Mac Lawyer blog is excellent. Keep up the good work!!"  ::  Charles Bedsole
• "It's good to see that using Macs in a law office is a viable course of action.  Thanks, and keep up the great work."   ::  Tim Connelly
• "I admire your blog designed for mac-based attorneys.  I wanted to thank you for making this blog. It is nothing less than inspiring."  ::  Carlos Moreno

While I don't write this blog in order to receive accolades, it is nice to receive them nonetheless.  I am glad that this blog has found its niche and is fullilling a need for my readers.  This week will see my 100th post, and I hope to continue publishing this blog for a long time to come.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Mac360 recently determined which Mac is the "Value King" -- the one that was (a) "affordable, but powerful"; (b) "attractive yet efficient in design"; and (c) in "that sweet spot between price, power, capability, et al."

Its analysis determined that the new Core 2 Duo 24-inch iMac (priced at $1,999) was the winner.  This model is the absolute top of the line iMac, and it comes with a huge 24-inch display, built-in iSight camera, 1GB RAM, 250GB hard drive, 4MB L2 cache, the Apple Remote, Bluetooth, and an NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT video card with 128 megs RAM.  This model also has a capability for upgrade that is not found in the lower-end models.

Another option is the "low-end" iMac, which is priced at $999 price and comes with 17-inch screen, Core 2 Duo CPU, keyboard, mouse, graphics, SATA hard drive, CD/DVD, and Airport Extreme.  Those features will likely be more than enough for most attorneys, and at one-half the price of the above-described 24-inch model.

The money quote: "It's tough to find a better, more attractive, more powerful, more capable, more elegant statement, than the high end iMac.  The $1,999 price tag may not seem like bargain basement, but value doesn't always attach itself to the lowest price. Ask any Dell user."

When CNN Money compared the iMac with a Dell, it found that "you'll get more for your money with Apple."  You can read Peter Lewis' comparison of the iMac and Dell's PC by clicking HERE and decide for yourself.

Source:  "The Ultimate Mac Value: Tricked Out, Low Price" by Carol Mary Miller, published at Mac360.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

At the Macworld Expo in San Francisco last week, Microsoft offered a sneak preview of Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, which is expected to be relesed in the latter part of this year.  This version will come in Universal Binary format, which will run natively on both Apple's PowerPC and Intel-based Macs.

Among the highlights shown in this preview:

• Word will have a new user interface dubbed "Elements Gallery," which speeds up document creation by allowing users to drag-and-drop predefined templates for some of the most commonly used "Document Parts," such as headers, footers and tables of contents.
• The new version of Word features a "Publishing Layout View" that lets users create incredibly layout-rich documents such as newsletters, fliers and brochures by uncovering desktop publishing layout tools and providing text box entry.
• Microsoft also previewed My Day, which is a stand-alone widget-like application that allows users to track priorities and stay on top of daily activities no matter what application they're currently working in. It interfaces directly with Entourage -- another component of Microsoft Office -- offering at-a-glance schedule and task viewing without having to launch Entourage.
• The new version of Excel will add support for "Ledger Sheets," enabling anyone to use spreadsheet application to handle common financial management tasks.  According to Microsoft, home and small-business users can balance checkbooks, track accounts or manage investment portfolios more easily than ever.

For additional photos of Word 2008, you can visit AppleInsider's Office 2008 photo gallery.

Source: "Microsoft Previews Development Version of Office 2008 for Mac", published at AppleInsider.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

After months of forcing myself to wait to order a new MacBook, I finally broke down and placed an Order last week for a black one with 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB RAM, and 160 GB hard drive.  Apple kept its delivery record perfect with me by once again delivering the product to me sooner than its own anticipated arrival date.  How many companies do you know that regularly do that?  Kudos to Apple!

Last night, I moved all my data, settings, etc. to the new MacBook from my old PowerBook using Apple's Migration Assistant, which is included in Mac OS X Tiger.  I previously posted on this topic last September, and I am pleased to report that the "moving" process went as smooth as silk.  In fact, even when using my most critical eye, I have NO complaints at all about the process. 

It took me less than ten minutes to enter the necessary information and plug in a firewire cable.  I then sat back and let two Macs chat and do all the heavy lifting for me.  After about an hour and a half of data movement, everything had been shifted over to my new MacBook and the process was done.  My network connections, passwords, printer configurations, and everything else was right where I expected them to be, and they worked flawlessly the first time. 

Unfortunately, our PC-using friends don't have it so easy.  Compare my experience with that of FutureLawyer Rick Georges as described in the post on his blog or in his article, The Agony and the Ecstasy of the Laptop Upgrade on this same subject.  Rick spent "two days and nights" copying his files to a new PC, and he compared the process to "getting a root canal."  Ouch!  So painful and so unnecessary...

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

The following article was published last Friday at the Bankruptcy Practice Pro blog, and it is worth reading:

So you've finally done it. You bought a Mac. It's amazing because the tools you formerly used on a PC are all there on your Mac. Until one day when you realize that one of the most important programs you need for your bankruptcy practice is only available in a PC version. What do you do?

Since Apple's switch to the Intel chip last year, this is not as major a concern as it once was. For those who purchased a G4 or G5 PowerPC machine in the past, there was Microsoft's Virtual PC, a program that let you run Windows in an emulation window on the Mac. Using emulation, you would have a PC in a window and your PC programs ran within that window. Notice the past tense; the PowerPC processors and Virtual PC are history.

But don't panic, there are no less than three solutions to the problem and a fourth on the horizon. Some of these products are truly paradigm shifting.

First is Apple's own Boot Camp. A part of Apple's upcoming Leopard OS X update, this is a utility that, once installed, allows you boot to your Mac into Windows XP. Once you do that, your Mac is no different than any Windows PC. Windows is in control of the machine and any Windows program runs completely natively. According to some tests, in this mode the Mac runs faster than some high-end PC machines out there. The downside? You have no access to those wonderful Mac programs that caused you to buy the computer in the first place and you can only go back to the Mac side by restarting the computer. Oh yeah, while you are in Windows, your machine is just as susceptible to viruses and worms as any Windows PC because it is a Windows PC. Better get those prophylactics out.

Second is a program called Parallels. This lets you run Windows in emulation mode, just as Virtual PC did for Mac users in the past. You install Parallels, then your favorite flavor of Windows. Launch Parallels which starts Windows in a window and then you can run your Windows program of choice in that window. There is also a mode that hides the Windows desktop called Coherence which gives the illusion that you are actually running the program on the Mac. The advantage of this approach is that you do not need to restart the Mac into Windows and your Mac programs remain available to you at the same time. The program is subject to the same criticism as the old Virtual PC; it's a little pokey. You can also catch a virus or worm, but the effect of that pest is limited to the virtual environment, so restarting from a backup is relatively easy.

The third solution is provided by a company called CodeWeavers which has adapted an Open Source project called Wine. Called CrossOver Mac, this program provides a translation service for the Mac OS that takes Windows instructions and transfers them to the Mac OS. The advantage is that you don't need Windows at all! A PC program will run natively on an Intel Mac just as if it were a Mac program. Windows programs look like Windows programs, but you don't need to start Microsoft's product first. Double click on a program or document icon and it launches. So far, my testing shows that this environment may be less susceptible to viruses and worms because Windows is not running and so none of the security holes exist. The only disadvantage is that if the PC program has any legacy code or doesn't follow standard programming guidelines, it won't run. The company maintains an extensive list of compatible programs that is regularly updated by user reports.

Currently in beta test, Fusion by VMware is the final tool. Although the focus is to run emulation of the operating system in a windows, this program allows an Intel Mac to run all sorts of PC operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, NetWare, and Solaris all at the same time as the Mac OS. Again the disadvantage is that you are running Windows (or whatever) in an emulation window and your programs run inside that. Because you are running Windows, you are exposed to viruses and worms. I know nothing of the speed and being a beta product, functionality may also be a problem.

So if you buy a Mac, you don't need to worry about losing access to your favorite PC-based bankruptcy petition program. Just pick the solution that is compatible with your program and the approach you like the best and carry on. As time goes on, you'll wish for a Mac version, but that is the time to lobby your software company to make one.

Source:  "Want A Mac But Don't Want To Lose Your PC Programs? No Problem!" by Eugene Melchionne, published at Jay Fleischman's Bankruptcy Practice Pro blog.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks (1)

Unless you've literally been living under a rock, you know that MacWorld 2007 was held earlier this week in San Francisco, CA.  During the much anticipated Steve Jobs keynote address, several new products were announced including the iPhone and Apple TV. 

Somewhat unexpectedly, no major announcements were made specifically for the Mac.  Nonetheless, Apple is still expected to release its Leopard version of Mac OS X in the coming months along with its "normal" slew of product upgrades. 

You can watch Mr. Jobs' keynote address for yourself HERE, or you can read summaries and discussions of what did (and didn't) take place at MacWorld 2007 at the following sites:

• AppleMatters  ::  "Macworld 2007 - Summary and iPhone Announcement"
• Mac360  ::  "Macworld: All About What We Liked, Loved, Hated"
• MacUser  ::  "MW07: A word on the lack of Mac updates in the Keynote"

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Clarity Legal Software LLC recently announced the release of the following legal software, which works on both Windows/PC and Apple/MacIntel operating systems: 

DepoSmart  ::  DepoSmart is Clarity's Legal Software's flagship product and is available for Windows PC or Apple Intel/Universal Binary operating systems. With DepoSmart, you can analyze, annotate, and print transcripts. Users can also connect to and import real-time transcripts from a court reporter during a deposition. Importing case materials like exhibits, image files, attachments, and synchronized video is easy. You can share transcripts with others by exporting *.dml files for use in our free Transcript Viewer (PC or Apple versions). The demo version allows for unlimited transcripts and case creation but does not allow printing, exporting, or real- time. Visit our website for a full list of features, screenshots, and tutorials. 

DepoSmart Transcript Viewer (Free)  ::  The Transcript Viewer is Clarity's Legal Software's free transcript viewer and is now available for Windows PC or Apple/Macintosh Universal Binary. This free viewer allows you to open DepoSmart *.dml files you receive from court reporters or from another party. DepoSmart's free viewer allows you to print and search easily. You can also print single page and condensed transcripts as well as word indices. DepoSmart Transcript Viewer files are created using DepoSmart or from our product for court reporters, Bundler. All *.dml exports are secure and encrypted. 

Bundler  ::  Clarity Legal Software's Bundler is designed for individual court reporters, court reporting firms, and law firms that want to distribute transcripts, exhibits, and video easily. Court reporters can send bundled transcripts, exhibits, and video regardless of platform and the transcripts are encrypted to ensure that the deposition transcript is tamper-proof. Court reporters will now be able to expand their client base even further. And the transcript integrates easily into Clarity Legal Software for maximum return on your investment and usefulness to your client. Bundler is a Windows PC product only.

TrialSmart  ::  You've seen the commercials, so you know that it's hard to beat an Apple/Mac when it comes to creating, editing, and showing video and graphics.  Released in 2005, TrialSmart is listed as one of the top specialized legal applications for the Mac, according to Apple.com.  Nothing compares to the look and feel of this program.  It's compatible with numerous video and image formats, including *.mpg and *.pdf.  And because it's easy enough for attorneys without much technical expertise to use, the software is helping counsel win trials.  Future versions of TrialSmart will integrate seamlessly with PC or Mac versions of DepoSmart and will be cross-platform.  A Universal Binary version of TrialSmart will be available in late January.

To learn more these products, you can visit Clarity Legal Software LLC's website or contact John Callis.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Well, "I" didn't get a facelift, but the site has.  I just wanted to freshen things up a bit and to make the blog's appearance a little more "Mac-like." 

Also, in case you were wondering, yes that's me (or at least part of me) watching over my blog.  Hopefully, that picture won't scare away too many readers.

Thanks to my buddy and blogger extraordinaire, Grant Griffiths, for his assistance in creating the new banner and freshening up the overall look of the site.  I hope that all my readers enjoy the new look.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks

This post is for those who may have gotten an iPod for Christmas and for those who maybe already have an iPod but never learned all the features of iTunes. If you fall into either category, you should check out the excellent tutorial provided by MacZealots.com, which covers the following topics:

• Getting Music on Your Computer
• Keeping Your Music Organized
• Using the Radio Feature
• Burning CDs
• Using the iTunes Music Store
• Sharing Your iTunes Music With Your Other Computers
• Discovering Podcasts

Source: "Learning iTunes, Organize Your Music" by Emily Hambidge, published at MacZealots.com.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

You may not know it, but many excellent plugins have been developed for Apple's Safari web browser. However, you now have a resource to track such extensions. Pimp My Safari is a collection of excellent plugins and apps to enhance Safari. Its emphasis is on plugins that work within Safari, but it also occasionally lists apps that are considered essential. Pimp My Safari considers the 3 essential extensions to be: Saft, PithHelmet, and SafariStand. If you use Safari as your browser, you may want to check out this site to find out how you can improve your internet experience.

Source: "Pimp Your Safari" by Adam Pash, published at LifeHacker.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Face it, lawyers are paid to communicate. Our clients want us to be advocates (or gladiators) for their position, and we use language as our primary weapon. My children ask me what I do at work, and I tell them that I am a wordsmith, which always draws a chuckle from my wife.

Sometimes, we struggle to find just the right word to convey the meaning we intend. In such circumstances, most of us reach for our thesaurus of choice. I recently discovered a cool new type of thesaurus, the Visual Thesaurus.

With this product, you type in a term and watch as an interactive word map blossoms with meanings and branches to related words. You can drag words around and play with them visually to engage a different part of your brain.

You can try it out for free and even get a 14 day risk free trial, but the Visual Thesaurus is a subscription-based service. It costs $19.95 a year (or $2.95 a month) for the web version, or $39.95 for the desktop version on CD.

Thanks to the CreativeTechs blog for its post on this software.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks

In response to my friend, David Swanner's recent post, "Programs to Help Lawyers be More Productive" at the South Carolina Trial Law Blog, Grant Griffiths published the following list of programs and hardware that lawyers can use on a Mac to be more productive:

• Dictation: Dave suggest Speak-Write to do dictation with. While this looks like a great system and its price is very reasonable. I already have a virtual paralegal that I like to use for such things. For me, I dictate to a digital recorder, download the files to my laptop and no matter where I am, I email them to my VP. Works great. She prepares the documents, emails them back to me, I review, make any changes that might need to be made, and than send them. I can send them either by snail mail, email or fax. And what is great, if I am sending them by email or fax, I don't even have to print them.

• Faxing: I use PageSender as my faxing tool in my practice. With PageSender you can fax or Email anything you can print. What is really great is that I can receive my faxes on my laptop when I am not even in the office. PageSender, if set right, will email me my faxes to my email address. I can than do what I need to with them and email them back to the sender. Or I can wait to fax them when I get back to the office. And, if I don't have my laptop with me, I can get them via email on my Treo 650. Either way, helps me to be more productive and enables me to keep up on what is going on in my practice.

• Timeline Graphing Tool: As Dave suggest, TimeMap is a great timeline graphing tool. When I was using windoze, I used Timemap. But, there is a program for the Mac for doing the same thing. Timeline is the program. Timeline software makes it easy to create beautiful timeline charts suitable for trial exhibits and more. Automatic layout means that you simply enter your events and the timeline software will handle the rest. The charts can be exported as PDF for use in your favorite presentation, page layout, or video editing software.

• Case Management: A program I would not be without is Circus Ponies Notebook. It's a combination outliner and free-form database that lets you clip, annotate, and share unstructured information. Organize your information using a familiar notebook interface complete with pages and tabs. Best of all you can organize a case in a way that makes sense to you. Not the way the software company believes it should be done. You can import photos, images, film clips, and sounds directly into Notebook from ay source. Display embedded media in your Notebook in Media Frames that give you control over the media item. Import any kind of content from the web or from other Mac apps using NoteBook's built-in Clipping Services. Copy text and other content directly into your Notebooks without leaving whatever app you are working in. You can even pre-edit clippings before sending them to your Notebook.

  Notebook includes tabs on the right side just like a trial notebook. I set mine up like a Bindertech trial notebook. Labeled and color coded just like a hardcopy notebook. However, with Notebook, I can assure you one thing, I can find my information faster than an attorney using a hard copy, like a trial notebook. And I can use my Notebook version to present information and exhibits in court. Notebook also works with Apple's popular iCal where you can set and manage alarms and to do's for your case.

• Mind Mapping: Dave mentions MindManager 5 which is the windoze version. What most don't realize, there is a Mac version too. MindManager 6 enables you to organize your ideas and information. However, it is very pricey.

  I have been looking at and trying NovaMind's mind mapping solution. The information stored in your mind map is compact and meaningful, allowing you to see the important issues, organize your thoughts, and solve problems quickly and effortlessly. The solutions are new and effective, and can easily be presented to others using graphical or text representations. NovaMind makes Mind Mapping intuitive and fun.

• Trial Presentation Software: TrialSmart is used to create, edit and show video and graphics. It allows you to present synchronized video to a jury using the presentation view. You can also synchronize transcript text to video testimony for later playback. All of its features can be seen HERE.

  With DepoSmart, you can analyze, annotate, and print transcripts. Users can also connect to and import realtime transcripts from a court reporter during a deposition. Importing case materials like exhibits, image files, attachments, and synchronized video is easy. You can share transcripts with others by exporting *.dml files for use in our Free Transcript Viewer. All of DepoSmart's features can be seen HERE.

• Practice Management Software: This is perhaps one of the areas that gets the most comments and questions from attorneys looking at using Macs in their law practice. As Dave states in his POST:

  There is no 'perfect' system out there. The important thing is to see which ones seem like a decent fit and then outline exactly what you are looking for and compare it to how well those programs provide it. Once you decide on the items that are important to you, put them in categories of how important they are. Have to have, would be nice to have and it's okay not to have. Then decide how good of a fit each program is for each of the items you have listed.

  I use Daylite 3 to help me keep my office organized. What I like best about it is that I can set up a case, they call them projects, and have links to everyone and everything I need for that case in one location. No more hunting for phone numbers, addresses or even client files. It is all linked in one place. Daylite will also do basic document production with its merge feature. I have used it to do some simple task such as envelops and letters. The calendar and contact management is also great. And it sync's to my Treo 650.

  While Daylite is not perfect, it does a great job. But, no practice management software package is perfect. Be watching for something new coming in the very near future. What if you could get a case management/billing/document production tool all wrapped up in one suite?
  

Why this post? One thing that I get tired of when talking to those who are switching, thinking of switching or just don't know, is when they say there is no software for the Mac. Software that will allow you to be productive as a lawyer. As you can see from the programs mentioned above, there are some great programs available. Check them out, email your questions or comments to Grant or me so that so we can continue to visit about this.

Source: "Programs to Help the Mac Lawyer be More Productive" by Grant Griffiths, published at his Home Office Lawyer blog.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (5)
• Trackbacks