An iPad equipped with the right software could be a powerful tool in the courtroom, given its portability and ease of use. A new iPad app, TrialPad, is specifically designed for use in the courtroom, as a tool to prepare and present electronic evidence at trial. Connect your iPad to a courtroom projector and use TrialPad to display, annotate and zoom-in on documents.

Annotate, highlight and write freehand on documents.

TrialPad works only with PDF documents. It differs from a PDF reader in that it allows you to organize documents into case folders and designate key exhibits as “Hot Docs.” It also lets you highlight, redact and write freehand on documents in advance of presenting them and annotate and zoom-in on them as you present them.

I do not have an iPad, so I have not tested TrialPad. Its website has an introductory video, screen shots and FAQs.

Use folders to organize your documents by cases.

The cost of the app is $89. To use it with a VGA projector, you would also need an iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter, which the Apple Store sells for $29, and a VGA cable to connect between the adapter and the projector. Of course, you would also need a courtroom equipped with a project (or one of your own).

While this product is marketed for use at trial, it could be used for presentations in any forum.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.