Case Management

Using Macs in a Law Practice: Guest Post

February 28, 2008 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Over on the Macs in Law Offices Google group, Thomas H. Hart III wrote a nice summary of the way he uses Macs in his law practice. His post appeared as part of a discussion about ways that Apple could improve its hardware and software to benefit attorneys. Mr. Hart identifies some of the hardware and software challenges he’d like Apple and others to address. I find these kinds of posts very helpful.

With Mr. Hart’s permission, here is the text of his post, with minor editing:

Let me explain how I use Macs and give you my thoughts about the Hardware and Software from Apple.

I am an active litigator using Macs (plaintiff’s work, complex trials across the country). I switched from PCs a couple of years ago because I was tired of the virus, spam and other similar problems. I am mostly paperless and I keep tons of files on my computer and on associated drives. I have set up networks and been the “computer guy” at a few firms. I have run Exchange Server and still use it on a web-hosted server.

For Hardware, I believe Apple is producing the right products for attorneys. I have purchased 3 MacBooks for my kids in college (one insisted on continuing with her PC), a used G4 for my son, a MacBook for my wife, 4 iMacs for office and home office use.

I bought a 15″ MBP in 2006 for my daily computer. It travels w/ me 100,000+ miles a year and is on in front of me 10-14 hours a day. One hard drive failed (I had a back up) and a few dents and scrapes have occurred. AppleCare replaced the hard drive and fixed some of the dents. It is an outstanding laptop.

I haven’t seen the need for a Mac Pro in a law setting unless someone is doing A LOT of video editing or to use as a server in a large office. I’d probably buy one if I could convince myself there is a need but my iMacs seem to be doing fine so far.

Hardware Suggestion #1:
Allow larger upgrades to RAM and Hard Drives in laptops. I have maxed out the RAM on my 2.33 MHz MBP at 3 GB and I would like to have 4 or 6 GB.

I ran out of room quickly with my 160 GB hard drive and an easier replacement path would be appreciated. I am not afraid to open the case do it myself but replacing a hard drive is not exactly “Plug and Play”. Even if larger drives are not available when the laptops are originally sold, they will be available later so please make the upgrade path easier.

As to software, I am gradually moving to Apple programs because I like their design, for the most part. In my day-to-day use, I most frequently use (in approximate order of frequency): E-mail, Calendar, Browser, Word Processor, PDF manager, To Do list, Presentation Software, photo editing, Spread Sheets, Deposition Transcript viewer, FTP client, iTunes and iChat.

I love CoverFlow and QuickView in Leopard. They are worth the upgrade alone for me.

Software Request # 1:
Keep producing these types of innovations. For example, make CoverFlow and QuickView usable in any product for searching and viewing, e.g., do a Spotlight search of e-mails, and QuickView the results. [Editor’s Note: The new Leopard Edition of HoudahSpot appears to provide a Quickview of search results.]

Software Request # 2.
I use Entourage because it combines and synchs E-Mail, Calendaring, To Do lists and basic case management (plus it works with my Exchange Server). I would like to get away from Entourage. I believe Apple could accomplish most of these by creating a shell that integrates iCal and Mail and connects to an Exchange Server.

Software Request # 3.
Keep juicing up Pages for Word Processing. I like its approach to Outlining, which I use a lot in trial prep. I find that I still need to go to Word for merging and other more complex tasks. Pages could be upgraded to do merging, envelopes, etc.

Software Request # 4.
Produce a sophisticated PDF manager that is not as bloated as Adobe Pro. I use version 8.0 and it sucks my MBP’s resources.

I use Camino rather than Safari but they are pretty similar in capabilities. I used FireFox extensively in my PC days but I tend to stick to Camino now.

For me, Keynote is the signature Apple product for lawyers. Keynote has replaced PowerPoint for me and I use it extensively. I love the results I get and the relative ease of use, especially the drag and drop video insertions. Keep improving Keynote while preserving the ease of use.

Software Request # 5:
Make a good photo editor part of iLife or iWork. I find iPhoto geared to basic photo collecting and it seems to have little editing capabilities. I need to crop, copy, delete. I need to be able to access many different photo formats. I need to preview photos from my Finder without first importing them into iPhoto (I don’t like the way iPhoto stores the photos, I prefer them in folders viewable in Finder). I use ImageWell for most things and PhotoShop when I need to.

Software Request #6:
Give software developers inducements to make Apple-compatible software. American Express encourages users to send them the names and addresses of companies that do not accept Amex so they can twist their arm with inducements; Apple could do the same with software developers. I need to read PTX files (deposition transcripts) because it is the de facto standard in my practice. It is not an Apple issue (unless Apple can entice RealLegal to make their Viewer Tiger and Leopard compatible). I use CrossOver to view files with the Windows viewer.

The basic FTP in Leopard and its components is weak; it should be beefed up.

Getting away from legal issues, iTunes works great but it could get away from a proprietary format. IChat works for me.

Hope you can find something helpful from the description of how one lawyer uses his Apple products and how he wishes he could use them.

Tom Hart

Thomas H. Hart III
Attorney at Law
Law Offices of Thomas H. Hart III
A Professional Corporation
2212 Queen Cross Street
Christiansted, VI 00820
340-719-9530 (voice)
340-719-9531 (fax)
www.thhpc.com