Here’s an interesting reason many attorneys are switching back to paper planners: Courts often ban cell phones from the courtrooms, making it difficult for those who keep their calendars on Blackberries or iPhones to schedule hearings while inside. The solution, according to Gregory Davis, a Milaca, MN based attorney and recent Quo Vadis convert, is to “go back to the past and keep a written calendar also.”
Greg finds the Quarter‘s 15-minute segments best suited to his planning needs, though he also uses the President since he prefers the Habana cover.
5 Comments
Elizabeth
This planner was perfect when I was scheduling participants for a study around my class and lab schedule.
James
Another great reason: courts (and clients) don’t accept, “my phone got wet” as a valid reason for missing a court deadline or appearance.
Note Booker, Esq.
Greg’s point is a good one. In my state, the state courthouses will allow you to bring in your cell phone, but the federal courthouses will not allow you to bring in your cell phone unless it does not have a camera. I know one lawyer who custom-ordered a Treo without a camera lens and permanent lens cap, and her phone was allowed in too the federal courthouse.
It can be a lot of work to keep the paper calendar and electronic one in sync. Lawyers must be very, very careful about this. Using it for scheduling other matters in court — which can usually be rescheduled without too much trouble if a mistake is made — is one thing. Relying on the paper calendar for your filing deadlines, etc. is extremely dangerous if the firm’s electronic calendar is the “master” calendar. If I have upcoming deadlines in my paper calendar, I always double-check them against the master electronic calendar.
Dolly
I have just switched to paper planner, and I already feel much more organised and efficient than I have felt for ages. Certainly won’t be browsing for PDAs anymore.