Fastcase for the iPhone

The Fastcase app is the largest free law library on the iPhone.  It uses smart search technology from Fastcase’s fully-featured, Web-based legal research application, which allows you to sort the most relevant results to the top of the list, customize and re-sort search results, and integrate citation analysis tools right into the results list.  “[FastCase] has won the prestigious American Association of Law Libraries New Product of the Year Award.”  – Mobile Lawyer, 8/23/2012

 

There are many features that I like about this free mobile application.  The application is equivalent to carrying with you a small library as it gives you access to State statutes for all 50 States, as well as the United States Code.   Having all 50 States’ statutes is wonderful, but it is only as good as its searching power

application will quickly return the results and sort them by relevancy.  There is also a feature that allows you to check other relevant cases that have cited your particular case.   Once you have found a relevant case(s) or statute(s), you can save them for quick reference in the future.  Imagine you are at a courthouse or away from a computer and need a quick glance at a controlling law – with this application and its ability to save and retrieve, you are only a couple of touches away.

Although there are many great features with the application, there are a few issues that hinder its superiority.   For instance, the application does not remember the user’s username and password.  This can become a nuisance if you use this application frequently.  Another issue with the login process is if you have forgotten your password.  There is no option for you to retrieve or reset your password from the application.   Lastly, this application’s saving/retrieval capability only works on that particular device.  For instance, if you have saved a statute using your iPhone, you cannot retrieve that saved statute from your desktop.

Overall, this app is a must have for law students! It is clear, very user-friendly, and provides excellent results.  Did I also mention that it is FREE?

~ Ketsarinh Rajaphoumy, Class of 2013~

There’s an App for That?

With the bar exam fast approaching for our recent graduates and rising first years through third years waiting with bated breath for the start of the fall semester, all with SmartPhones planted firmly in their hands, this seemed like a fantastic time to introduce you to some of the legal research and bar prep assistance your mobile app store has to offer.

From iPhones to Blackberrys to Androids, it seems like everyone’s connected these days, and the mobile application markets have been growing exponentially, offering endless support for you both personally and professionally.

Did you know that there’s an app that allows you to search, bookmark, copy, share, and annotate text of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Evidence, Appellate Procedure, Criminal Procedure, and Bankruptcy Procedure on your Droid device?

Did you know that there are apps that offer free flashcards and instructional videos that you can use to supplement your studies for the bar exam?

Did you know that there’s a deposition question and answer outline app, which allows you to select from over 150 deposition questions by category, to organize the sequence of questions, and to link questions to exhibits?

If you want the latest scoop on these apps and more, Vicki Steiner, from the Hugh and Hazel Darling Law Library at UCLA, has created an amazing Apps for Legal Research LibGuide featuring links to tons of current mobile applications that may be of interest to both law students and lawyers.  We are currently adapting this LibGuide for our own CharlotteLaw students with phenom Vicki’s blessing, so stay tuned, and be sure to let us know what your favorite apps are!

~Ashley Moye~