ABA Techshow Speakers Share Top Must-Have Gadgets for Every Lawyer
One of the most popular ABA Techshow programs Friday offered a wide array of technology devices and software sure to please the inner tech geek in every lawyer.
Speakers Lincoln Mead, IT director at the Utah State Bar, and Nerino Petro, a practice management advisor with the State Bar of Wisconsin, shared their favorites in the session titled, “The Gear Report - Tools, Toys, Gadgets and Gizmos,” designed to update lawyers on the latest technology they’ll need or want—and even gave a sneak peek of what will be coming soon.
Here are some highlights:
As more lawyers embrace digital note taking—a push the duo credits to the ubiquitous iPads and tablets in the marketplace—there are larger wireless writing tablets such as the Wacom Bamboo tablets and styluses that can turn desktop computers into a virtual canvas. They’re particularly helpful for reviewing briefs and other documents, Petro said.
For presentations, lawyers may want to check out Microsoft’s upgraded PowerPoint 2010. They can then project their work with Nikon’s CoolPix S1000pj camera, built with an ultra-small projector, or a portable Optoma projector, which can be great for small room presentations, the speakers said.
To ease the transition between slides and have better control, check out wireless remote controls such as a Rii mini wireless keyboard and remote or a Microsoft wireless notebook presenter mouse. Afterward, share slideshows with colleagues and clients using the Slideshare website, which is also a resource to learn about a wide variety of presentation tips and other topics.
And for the information lawyers don’t want to share, the duo suggested the BUSlink Cipher Shield, an encrypted external hard drive that cannot be accessed without a special key, or TrueCrypt, a free, open-source program that can encrypt folders, partitions and entire hard drives.
In the event of an invasion of zombie clients, Petro and Mead recommend the Gerber Apocalypse Kit, complete with axes, knives and hatchets to fend off the walking dead.
Finally, the speakers keep their tech toys safe and portable in rugged and padded gear bags from BBP (Bum Back Pack) and Maxpedition.
