Are you using an iPad as part of your court reporting business?  If you aren’t, you should be.  An iPad can help you be more productive with your time away from the office. If you’re looking for ways to use your iPad more efficiently, we’ve put together a list of apps that will help you get things done on the go.

1. CalenMob (free)

CalenMob is a Google Calendar app.  It inherits the simple and clean look of Google web calendar and makes it more accessible, responsive and reliable on your iPhone and iPad. This app gives you access to your calendar no matter where you are.  You can make and change appointments from either iPhone, iPad or your computer.  It can also be used with no internet connection. Changes will be synced back to your Google account the next time you are connected. 

2. DropBox for iPad (free)

A simple and convenient way to store your files, documents, pictures, etc. You can access your DropBox from anywhere as long as you have your username and password and internet access (to initially sign on). The best thing is that it can synchronize your computer, phone, and iPad all in one storage system. The great thing about this program is even if your computer crashes, you can still retrieve your DropBox files through logging back onto your iPad.

3. Scanner Pro (free)

Scanner Pro transforms your iPhone and iPad into portable scanners. It allows you to scan receipts, whiteboards, paper notes, or any multipage document. You can scan notices or even exhibits when the attorney wants to retain ownership.  Once you scan the document, you can turn it into a good-looking pdf file.

4. Pocket (free)

Pocket, formerly called ReadItLater is a free app that makes it easier for the user to store articles and read them later. It’ll come in handy for down time between deps or breaks in action.  You can use the time wisely by catching up on articles during those times or even with a cup of morning coffee.

5. iWork ($30)

iWork is essentially three applications bundled into one: Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Pages is a word processor. Numbers is similar to Excel, where you can access spreadsheets, etc. And Keynote is a presentation software comparable to PowerPoint. This bundle will give you the convenience of opening and editing documents while on the go.

6. AudioNote ($4.99)

Audionote lets you link audio recordings to written notes. Later on, you can click on a specific portion of your notes and listen to the audio recording associated with that moment. You can use this application with a stylus, which makes things a lot easier for note takers and for people who want to draw while using it. This can be helpful for recording ideas or memos to yourself quickly when you’re mobile.

7. White Noise Pro ($2.99)

The perfect companion when you’re looking to either relax or get proofreading done, but you can’t drown out the neighbors or that barking dog! White Noise Pro offers a variety of ambient noise, nature recordings, and, of course, white noise.

8. Clear ($1.99)

An incredibly easy to use productivity app that helps manage your day-to-day responsibilities. When you’ve accomplished a task, simply swipe it away. You can even break down your to-do lists into grocery, personal goals, shopping, and more. This application is perfect for busy people.

9. Mailbox (free)

This app helps you sort out e-mails with your existing accounts. For example, you can sync your Gmail account and categorize and create labels for certain e-mails. Over time, it’ll help you minimize the overflowing amount of unread e-mails you have, hopefully, to zero. The app allows you to swipe messages to either archive or trash it. E-mail maintenance has never been easier.

Efficiency is a huge part of any court reporter’s life. The more efficient you are, the more you can get done.  These apps are all designed to help you be more productive with your time when you are away from your office. You will find yourself relying on your iPad more and more to get things done.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jane Jones is a court reporter, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Brown & Jones Reporting, Inc. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Google+.

Law firms today know they need to stay up-to-speed on legal technology to stay relevant.  For most lawyers, survival will depend upon the ability to harness technology to deliver greater value to clients. If you’ve had your nose to the grindstone building your client base and career, then you may not have taken time to try out all of the new gadgets and software programs out there.

As court reporters, we also want to harness technology to offer great value to you, our clients.

Here are some simple technologies many court reporters offer that can make your litigation life easier:

Electronic Transcripts

An electronic transcript is a transcript format that includes a hyperlinked word index enabling you to scan the word index and click to the selected place in the transcript. An electronic transcript is easily delivered by email or FTP download.  An electronic transcript imports seamlessly into almost all word processing and case management programs.

Transcript Repositories

A repository is a secure, web-based, password-protected online access of stored depositions and exhibits in electronic form which can be easily copied and shared. A repository is a virtual warehouse where digitized case records are maintained behind a password so that only those who are authorized can access.

Condensed Transcripts

A condensed transcript is a miniaturized copy of the original transcript printed placing four pages of transcript on a single side.  Specialized software programs create condensed transcripts. These condensed transcripts take less volume and are convenient if storage space is limited, and are easy to carry when traveling.

Linked Indexes

With linked indexes, each index word is hyperlinked to the corresponding occurrence within the transcript.  Clicking on the index word’s page/line entry immediately takes the reader to that page within the transcript. These hyperlinked page/line entries make the transcript easier to use and eliminates time-consuming flipping through pages trying to find blocks of testimony.

Linked Exhibits

With linked exhibit files, each reference to an exhibit is hyperlinked to the exhibit document and opens with a click. Each exhibit is also back-linked to each page the exhibit is referenced upon.  This means not only is the transcript hyperlinked to the exhibit files, but also the exhibit files are hyperlinked back to all the transcript references.  This makes it easy to move between transcript pages and exhibits.

Realtime Reporting

Realtime stenography is a computer-aided transcription system capable of translating a digital shorthand record and producing an unedited written document even as the record is being made. This unedited text can be viewed immediately and later corrected by the stenographer. The speed and quality of this type of system, known as realtime stenography, is very similar to the closed-captioned text of a live television program.

Video Deposition

A video deposition is a video recording of a deposition or sworn statement that is useful to view demeanor and body language of a witness while testifying. This is useful for playback in court. Another popular application is to give the video to expert witnesses to review, rather than just a paper transcript.

Streaming Video

Streaming video in court reporting terms means transcription by court reporters to deliver computer text of speech over the Internet within seconds of the words being spoken. Users can see the text and video from any computer with Internet access as the witness answers questions. Streaming video can be viewed from any computer, whether in the same room as the proceedings or viewed remotely from another location.

Technology can save you time and money, but first it’s necessary to be aware of what’s available. If you’re not taking advantage of some of these technologies outlined above, take a second look. Make it a point to try out the ones you’re not familiar with.  It’s only by trying and testing that today’s law firm can find the best technologies that fit, provide greater efficiency and stay current in today’s fast-paced technology environment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan Kay is a Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Brown & Jones Reporting, Inc. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Google+.

Have you found scheduling out-of-town depositions to be slow and time consuming?  This is not an unusual experience. Finding an available court reporter in a different city or state can be tough, especially if you don’t know anyone in that area.

There is a fast and easy way to take care of this task when it arises. Many court reporting firms will handle this scheduling for you.  At Brown and Jones Reporting, we are committed to helping you find available court reporters, even if your deposition is out of town. And it’s an easier task for us for a couple reasons. We network with court reporting firms across the nation. When you call with an out-of-town court reporter request, our staff can make the necessary calls to find you a court reporter, no matter where your deposition is taking place.

Here are just a few reasons you should let us schedule court reporters for you:

• We can save you money.  The service won’t cost you extra. At Brown and Jones Reporting, we do not charge you for this service. We are happy to help you find an out-of-town court reporter.
• We work with only the best court reporters.  When we arrange court reporters for you in other cities and states, we make sure you receive a highly skilled and experienced court reporter. Our networks are made up of only court reporters we have screened and found to be the best.  This is important to us because we know you rely on us for quality.
• We can save you time.  You and your staff members are already busy with the work that is critical to your law firm.  Calling around to find court reporters uses precious time you need for more important tasks.  By letting us find a court reporter for you, this allows you and your staff to get back to current tasks.

Why waste your precious time looking for out-of-town court reporters when we can do it for you?  We are always looking for better ways to serve you.  This is something we know we can take off your plate to allow you and your staff to be much more efficient with your time.

If you would like Brown and Jones to schedule an out-of-town court reporter for you, use our Online Deposition Scheduling Form for a fast and easy way to request a court reporter, or if you prefer, give us a call at (414) 224-9533 or (800) 456-9531.  We would love to talk to you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jane Jones is a court reporter, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Brown & Jones Reporting, Inc. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Google+.