Microsoft OneNote — A Simple Yet Powerful File Management Program that You Probably Already Own but Have Never Used

By Terry Tao, Esq

Most attorneys live and die by their files. Before and during client meetings, the file comes out so you can check exact language and critical information. Most of the time, only the relevant portions of the file are taken to the meetings while the larger, more voluminous, pieces are left behind. Some attorneys who don’t mind back problems will carry large litigation cases. Others will bring several boxes – in most cases the boxes are rarely opened during the meetings due to the inconvenience and the disruption of the flow of a meeting.

If I told you that you could bring your reference files with you, you might not be impressed. Most attorneys have a large amount of data stored in their heads and pride themselves on not needing reference materials.

With a simple program called OneNote, it is possible to bring all your files with you without any heavy lifting, large litigation bags, or boxes. Better yet, you can carry all of your active cases and most relevant reference files around in a computer that weighs less than 3 pounds. OneNote is a computer file organization program that comes with your Microsoft Office Suite. Interestingly, most people who I talk to don’t know about OneNote and don’t even know that they already own the program.