Document signing on the iPad

In the second of an ongoing series as the iPad advanced deadline looms for application developers, we had the chance to get the thoughts from LexAlign on where their Sign Here application is headed, in light of the new features and functionality which the iPad offers. Also, we have their thoughts on what uses the iPad might offer lawyers and law students.

A brief introduction to Sign Here; “Sign Here by LexAlign is an app that enables users to create, electronically sign, and email legal and business documents on their mobile device. The user simply answers a series of questions and Sign Here creates the document which can then be signed on the device itself and emailed out to all parties.” The application accesses a library of documents – convenient for included documents, however possibly limiting for people who are looking for the ability to receive a PDF and sign it back. Don’t look to this application for your next M&A deal, however for something like a receipt it can be quite useful.

What is in store is a greater ease-of-use when creating and using documents, taking advantage of the greater real-estate offered in the iPad; “Until recently, the app was exclusive to the iPhone and iPod Touch. The release of the iPad is a boon to Sign Here users as the iPad provides the perfect platform for the app’s functions. The large screen and keyboard will enhance the user’s experience when entering their data or reading and reviewing their documents. The large touch screen will also provide the user with more space to sign their document.”

As for what is in the future, it’s always great to hear developers’ optimism for new potential from the platform; “The iPad’s on-the-go reference and research capabilities will benefit lawyer and students alike. Apps such as Sign Here are perfectly designed for the iPad platform. Lawyers, clients, and business people can execute documents any time any place without the need for pens, paper, printers or fax machines.  For the tech savvy lawyer or business person using apps like Sign Here, the iPad can become the all-in-one ‘briefcase’.” If the momentum for developers continues to be this enthusiasm for the processing power and functionality which of the iPad offers lawyers and law students, the future looks as though it may have less paper involved.

Sign Here | Business & Legal Documents and Forms, Created and Signed on your iPhone | Sign Here by LexAlign

Sign Here guides you with clear questions to create professional results. Agreements, legal letters, and other documents get you on the right side of the law.

Legal reference on the iPad: what’s next from The Law Pod

In the first of an ongoing series as the iPad advanced deadline looms for application developers, we had the chance to get the thoughts from Fitz Collings on where he is taking his legal reference software, in light of the new features and functionality which the iPad offers. Also, we got his thoughts on what uses the iPad might offer lawyers and law students.

Screen size, processing power, and form are the primary drivers of new functionality; “First, we will take advantage of the iPad’s increased screen real estate.  Our current iPhone apps are completely compatible with the iPad already, and can be doubled in size when using them on the iPad.  In the next version of our application, we will offer an iPad specific app that uses all the iPad’s available screen space.” It will be interesting to see the approach developers take on this: more of the same on their screen (which still might be great), or increased complementary content.

“Second, we will take advantage of the iPad’s increased processing power.” This is great news for more intensive applications – and for applications which seem simple but could be doing more predictive work in the background. “One major limitation of the iPhone is that it has a hard time displaying large bodies of law in a single app because it runs out of memory and cannot process requests (e.g., search requests) in a timely fashion.  Our iPad version will allow us to combine multiple resources into a single app, which should increase the app’s usefulness.” While multitasking may be missing, it is good news that developers on the iPad are making sure their applications use all the processing power available to help when every minute matters.

“Finally, we will take advantage of the iPad’s new form and function.  While the iPhone is designed to be carried in your pocket, the iPad can clearly be used on the desktop.  The iPad version of our app will provide new features that fit with the iPad’s areas of use.” This is something we have heard a lot – and while it is good, it remains to be seen if applications will trump the stereotype of ‘the iPhone, but bigger’. No doubt Fitz will come up with something that takes advantage of the iPad’s convenience and availability.

As for what Fitz thinks is in the future, “I think that the iPad offers the possibility of several new uses for lawyers and law students alike. The legal profession always seems to be a step behind technological developments, but the iPad fits with what we already know how to use. We bring pads of paper with us everywhere, and we’re more than used to using smart phones.” A great point given that lawyers are probably one of the most stretched professions, balancing increasing 24/7 connected technology – and reams of paper; it’s quite odd sometimes, and the iPad may help remedy that.

Students can expect an increase in the offerings for their education, and possibly fundamental changes to their practice habits: “I see a strong market for legal learning software, including text books, as well as for transactional needs (picture signing an electronic contract on the iPad screen that’s automatically emailed to each party).  As the iPhone has already proven, the only limit for the iPad is the imagination and creativity of developers.”

He promises more features which can’t be shared at the moment, and it will be interesting to do a full review of the software once the iPad hits the shelves (and mailboxes). Meanwhile, you can find his software at The Law Pod – The Legal Reference for your iPhone®, iPad®, iPod Touch®, and Blackberry®

Law Pod Reference software for the iPad includes:
F.R.A.P., F.R.B.P., F.R.Civ.P., F.R.Crim.P., F.R.E., U.S. Const.

Future iPad legal trends

This year’s American Bar Association ABA TECHSHOW is going to be an interesting opportunity for developers to bring out new legal technologies for lawyers to use iPads in their legal practice. Also we look forward to seeing the outcome of seminars on deploying new technologies which may increase the mobile functionality of law firms and small practitioners. Stay tuned at ABA TECHSHOW

With three days of unparalleled continuing legal education, ABA TECHSHOW is one of the best legal technology events of the year. This year’s conference is filled with content for lawyers, paralegals, firm administrators, IT managers, and legal assistants, novices and experts alike.

iPad and casebook costs

The Law School Innovation blog has an inkling that casebooks may be replaced by iPads in the future for law students looking to study from their iPad. What remains to be seen is if publishers will decide to drop their prices the 50% which is being suggested at Law School Innovation: How an iPad (or an even better e-tablet) could transform legal education

I suspect the average law student spends at least $1000 each year on casebooks, with little to take away from these costs other than a sore back. I suspect most law students would jump at the chance to instead spend, say, $750 on a slick new e-tablet device with course materials pre-loaded that could serve as a professional resource even after a course is completed.

iPad competes with WePad

There is no shortage of tablets to compete with iPad, and that competition is only going to heat up when lawyers and law students are looking for a mobile device. There may be some bias from the ‘Android Phone Fans’ blog, but in full-disclosure here we’ll point out their valid reasons about why the WePad may be better than the iPad, at: WePad Android Tablet Crushes iPad In Spec Battle | Android Phone Fans

With an 11.6-inch screen, 1.66GHz processor, front-facing camera, 2 USB ports, SIM slot, MicroSD slot, Flash, Adobe AIR, and ability to use all open eBook standards, the WePad bests the iPad in all of those categories.

iPad and legal applications

Where the iPhone brought obvious functionality (it’s a phone) to make it an ice-breaker into law firms already spending hundreds on digital devices to allow for mobile e-mail, what came next was a good number of legal applications suitable for work on-the-go. A good run down of some of these can be found here, at iPhone Apps for Lawyers and Law Firms

The iPhone finally cracked the law-firm standards stranglehold by virtue of its compatibility with Microsoft Exchange, which freed lawyers from the non-choice of “would you like a Blackberry, or a Blackberry?” Granted, the Blackberry still seems to have a better handle on business needs, but for some, the iPhone is worth getting to know.

iPad: the iPhone, but better?

Randall Ryder brings a great viewpoint on the iPad enhancing legal practice – as many lawyers have already seen such technology do for them with their iPhone. Stay tuned to hear more from him on why iLove the iPad | Lawyerist

The iPad is going to be sweet. It will change the way law students learn the law, and it will be a benefit to practicing attorneys. The iPad will not do anything that another device can already do. It will simply do those things better.

3G WiFi bridging to the iPad

When considering what iPad to purchase, don’t forget the option of using a device such as the MiFi from Verizon – which, though possibly not the cheapest option – does offer the ability to bridge laptop(s) and tablets and more all for the same data fee over 3G: Which iPad for My Pad? : The Mac Lawyer

Therefore, did it make sense pay $30 per month for the iPad data plan in addition to the $60 I would continue paying Verizon? I think not. I then realized that the Verizon MiFi 2200 would be the perfect solution for my situation. The MiFi provides a wireless 3g hub for up to five wi-fi devices, which could include both my iPad and MacBook Pro, and that it could do so while measuring only 3.5″ x 2.5″ and weighing 2 oz.

iPad legal uses get started

There could be great uses for the iPad waiting to be discovered, beyond the obvious (e.g., yes – you can call with cell phones: but who predicted twitter?). Some of the first things you’ll see can be found at the article review at Apple’s iPad: A hit with business users? | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com

# Replace 200-page business documents
# Business reading and audiobooks for road warriors
# “Back of the Napkin” sketches
# Small-scale presentations
# Conference room computing

iPad as a support tool

Lawyers (and law students) need answers on the spot – and also have to maintain a perfect memory of client interactions. While jokingly (perhaps) a law firm in South Africa is bringing online avatars Law firm set to offer “robot” lawyers — Engadget there is a good argument that iPad-toting associates may be able to instill more confidence in the courtroom and in client interactions by recording and retrieving key information.

South African law firm Buys Inc. plans to introduce a trio of “robot” lawyers next year designed to offer online legal advice to customers, Business Day reports.