TranscriptPad is an elegant, fast and powerful transcript review app for the Apple iPad, designed specifically for the legal field, from the same folks who designed TrialPad, their flagship trial presentation and legal file management app. Similar software exists for your PC or Mac, such as the excellent Deposmart (from Clarity Legal), but TranscriptPad is the first dedicated transcript review and annotation app for the iPad.
TranscriptPad accepts transcripts in .txt format, and exhibits in .pdf format. (Make sure you request the transcript in .txt format, as some court reporting agencies have their own proprietary format). The .txt format is a simple and relatively small file format that all court reporters can generate, and usually do so at no extra charge. Importing is a breeze, and can be done via email, Dropbox or even iTunes. I’ve uploaded multiple transcripts simultaneously, quickly and without any problems.
Transcripts are imported into case folders that you create and that are stored on your iPad. Opening a case folder reveals a deponent folder (created automatically upon import, with the deponent’s name and date of the deposition, along with the volume number). Multiple sessions of the same deponent are placed automatically in the deponent’s folder.
You can read a transcript hands-free by pressing the play button at the bottom of the screen, which allows you to adjust the speed. You can also flip back and forth as if you are reading a book (either in landscape or portrait orientation).
Most attorneys like to annotate their transcript when reviewing, and here’s where the software really shows off. You can create your own “issue” codes to any part of the transcript. Issue codes can be assigned any name along with a choice of six colors, and appear in the margins of the transcript. You can also flag a portion of the transcript for later review. Issues codes, flags or any portion of the transcript can be emailed or exported to Dropbox.
TranscriptPad contains a powerful search feature that allows you to search across any transcript or even multiple transcripts. Each hit is highlighted in the text, and you can create issue codes or flags from there, or email the section containing the search result. Detailed or summary reports of your issue codes, flags and searches are easily generated, and can be exported in .pdf or .txt format.
TranscriptPad’s price tag is $49.99, which is pricey for an app, but on the other hand, this is robust and professional software. Similar software for the Mac or PC start at $200, and go much higher. For lawyers, paralegals, experts, in house counsel, and others who review and annotate transcripts, and who place a premium on mobility, TranscriptPad is a must. TranscriptPad can be found here (www.transcriptpad) and purchased in the Apple App store.
