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Import, Review, and Export Discovery Documents on Your iPad
May 7, 2021
Today's TechnoLawyer Buyer's Guide report covers an iPad app for reviewing and producing discovery documents that now offers more versatile import, export, and collaboration tools.
Import, Review, and Export Discovery Documents on Your iPad
Do-it-yourself ediscovery software has always seemed like a good idea awaiting an entrepreneur. The same goes for litigation iPad apps. After all, half of all lawyers are litigators and most litigators own iPads. One company recognizes this opportunity.
DocReviewPad in One Sentence
DocReviewPad from LIT SOFTWARE is an iPad app for reviewing and producing discovery documents that now offers more versatile import, export, and collaboration tools.
The Killer Feature
LIT SOFTWARE has always supported Apple's technologies for importing and exporting documents. The new version is no different with new import and export capabilities that offer both automation and granularity.
You can import files from any service that supports Apple's Files app — and virtually all do. This includes cloud services such as Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. It also includes legal document management systems such as DocMoto and iManage Work. DocReviewPad supports PDF documents (including bookmarks) and image formats such as JPEG and PNG. Additional tools allow you to remove irrelevant pages inadvertently scanned into a document, and split large documents into smaller files.
DocReviewPad's granular export dialog lets you choose a naming convention and offers many options — export by document or specific pages, exclude confidential and/or privileged documents, and include or exclude documents or pages with or without annotations, issue codes, redactions, etc. These options use the familiar iOS switches that you toggle on or off.
When you want to export a set of documents for witness prep, a deposition, mediation, or trial, you can send documents TrialPad, LIT SOFTWARE's popular presentation app. Exporting issue-coded documents to TrialPad "automagically" creates Key Doc folders for each issue code with the corresponding pages in each folder. For document requests or sharing with an expert witness, you can export a set of documents via the Files app, USB flash drive, or AirDrop to nearby iPad and Mac devices.
DocReviewPad offers robust import and export options via Apple's Files app, including cloud storage services and document management systems.
Other Notable Features
The combination of granular settings and automation runs throughout the new version of DocReviewPad. For example, you can apply Bates stamps during import or at any point thereafter. Choose the type size, page location, starting number, separator, and background color to help differentiate from other Bates numbers on the pages.
If your cases are similar or you use the same organization system for certain cases, you can create Folder Templates to file imported documents into designated folders (e.g., custodians, experts, medical records, etc.). Many users import their entire case file, not just discovery documents, for access from anywhere. DocReviewPad now has a global search tool. You can sort search results by name, Bates number, or review status.
The document review environment lists folders and files on the left and the document viewer on the right. Apply tags and issue codes from a menu above the viewer. Navigate through documents in the left pane or by swiping through the viewer. The latter navigation enables you to use Speed Review. This mode displays the tags and issue codes in the left pane. Tap on the ones you want to apply and swipe to review the next document.
In addition to default tags such as Confidential and Privileged, you can create as many custom issue codes as you need for the case. Apply issue codes to the entire document or only selected pages. This gives you the ability to export these pages as noted above.
What Else Should You Know?
You can try DocReviewPad for free. It's sold in a bundle called the LIT SUITE, which also includes TrialPad, TranscriptPad (transcript review), and the just-released ExhibitsPad (electronic exhibits binder). LIT SUITE currently costs $399 per year, which you can lock in even if the price increases for new users in the future (users of previous versions qualify for an annual price of $299).
Neil J. Squillante is the founder and publisher of TechnoLawyer, an award-winning network of free email newsletters for lawyers and law office administrators. Many consider TechnoLawyer newsletters the only ones they need. A Fastcase 50 award winner, Neil has a long track record of inventing successful advertising and publishing technologies and related best practices. Previously, Neil practiced commercial litigation at Am Law 100 firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher. He received his J.D. from UCLA School of Law and his B.A. from Duke University. At UCLA, Neil served as a Managing Editor of UCLA Law Review.
