by: Craig Bayer of Law Office Technology, Baton Rouge, LA

Everywhere I look these days lawyers are walking around smartphones such as the RIM Blackberry, Sony Treo, or Motorola Q.   Seems the very thought of keeping contacts, to do lists, calendars, e-mail, and a web browser on a phone appeals to even the most techno-phobic lawyers.  You don’t even need to be that smart to usea smartphone: though it will make you look pretty clever.  Try it the next time you’re in court; when asked about your availability just look down at your phone and answer — confidentyour calendar has been syncronized with the office and vice verse.  Or maybe pull out your hardware next time you see a client who asks you to send a document.  Using your smartphone to create a to-do on the spot, or even find and e-mail the document right there. Nice.

editor’s note:  i have used a number of smartphones and like the technology for keeping on top of my practice while out of the office.  in an era of ultra-mobility, smartphones help us feel ’in control’ even when we can’t physically mind the store.