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Apple’s focus on education has increased the law firm with offices in Florida, California, newer firms (less than 20 years) that don’t have the
adoption of Macs among law students. Washington, and Colorado. He happily institutional inertia that they have to overcome.
This effect can be seen in the BAR exam. One reports that “over the last seven years, almost As long as you can overcome that, then it just
of our team members at GlobalMac IT works all programs—billing, legal research, etc.— comes down to what you are comfortable with.”
as a proctor a few times a year, providing tech have migrated to cloud-based systems. All
support during the exam. He’s gotten into the disadvantages that existed ten years ago are How to make the jump?
habit of counting Macs users in the exam room now pretty much completely gone.” If you are ready to make the jump from being
during downtime. Based upon his observations, With a robust criminal defense practice, Jin-Ho Mac-curious to a full convert, or if you want
he’s concluded that the percentage of Mac users King stated that they have to use a PC to view many to do some more discovery, the best resource
(while taking the BAR) ranges from as low as of the things they receive from the prosecutors’ out there is the ABA’s Practice Law Division
50% to as high as 64%. office or the District Attorney. For example, they book, “Macs in Law: The Definitive Guide for
Combined, these factors continue to receive a lot of media files (like security footage) the Mac-Curious, Windows-Using Attorney,”
increase the adoption of Macs in law. from proprietary systems, and the only way to by yours truly and Brett Burney (www.
So how many attorneys actually use Macs? view them is to either try to emulate Windows macsinlawbook.com ). The book discusses
According to the 2018 Legal Technology or keep a PC around. “That is a significant point the proper mindset for making the switch
Survey Report, 14% of solo attorneys reported of inconvenience; however, it doesn’t come up and helps you determine whether Macs are
using Mac OS as their primary operating enough that it’s a problem. The majority of the right for you. It also busts some of the myths
system, as did 9% of the firms with 2-to-9 documents work without any issues.” out there, addresses specific questions about
lawyers on staff. You are not alone. Klemchuk LLP is a leading intellectual running a practice on Macs, and provides a
property, technology, internet, business, general step-by-step action plan for making
Why make the switch? and commercial litigation law firm with full the switch. Lastly, you’ll find a non-exhaustive
Here are some snippets from attorneys and a full IP suite of services. Chelsea Green, reference guide for the hardware and software
firm administrators I interviewed: Chief Operating Officer, stated that the most recommended for most Mac-based firms.
• Ease of use significant issue when they started was the
• Reliability, less tech support needs lack of case management software. It was all
• Bad experiences with reliability of piecemeal, so they ended up writing their own With over a decade of experience in
Windows computers custom Filemaker platform. supporting attorneys using Apple
• Microsoft applications (like 365) being The other issue not often addressed is that of technology, Tom Lambotte has
available on every platform medium or larger firms. The biggest obstacle to become a “household” name in the
• Much more mobile making the switch to Macs is the dependency legal industry, synonymous with
• Ease of use, less vulnerable to security on outdated or “legacy” technology. The truth is, great IT solutions. He is the Founder and CEO of
threats, great hardware setup these firms face the same problem whether they GlobalMac IT, an IT provider with a range of
• Easier and more intuitive are on PC or Mac; the real challenge is upgrading services for Mac-using attorneys nationwide. His
• No blue screen of death! its technology and moving to the cloud. For a firm company’ 8 Step-Proven Proven process pioneered
These reasons aligned with a survey with 20+ years of data in a server-based database a business-first approach to maximizing efficiency
from 2015 conducted by the Attorney at such as Tabs3 or PracticeMaster, migrating to the within a law firm by leveraging Apple technology.
Work blog (https://www.attorneyatwork. cloud is a complicated process. He is the author 3 books on the topics of Macs in
com/highlights-2015-apple-at-law-user- New firms have it the easiest since they tend to law firms and a highly sought after speaker at many
survey/ ) in collaboration with the MILOfest adopt cloud-based solutions from the get-go and industry events. Tom Lambotte has been a member
Conference (now renamed MacTrack Legal are much more nimble than established firms. since 2019. He can be reached at (440) 484-4022
www.mactracklegal.com). This survey asked Jin-Ho King stated, “It is particularly easier for or through email at tom@globalmacit.com.
lawyers why they chose to use Macs. The top
two reasons, selected by more than 70 percent
of respondents, were usability and reliability.
The third most popular reason was security,
followed by aesthetics and familiarity.

So what’s the downside?
Let’s be honest, even though switching your
law firm to Macs is easier today than it ever
has been, it’s not frictionless. Your experience
will depend greatly on your situation.
“When we made the switch to Macs
seven years ago, the lack of legal software
compatibility was the biggest challenge,”
reported Jeffrey B. Maltzman, Managing
Partner of Maltzman & Partners, a boutique
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