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When you're working with a laptop that you are often moving around with in a hotel war room or courtroom, take advantage of the option in system settings that will simply have Windows 10 do nothing when the lid is closed:
This way you can quickly come back to your work, and avoid leaving your laptop open and more vulnerable while it is balanced on the arm of a chair or the edge of a table.
If you're travelling for work, consider using a portable travel router. These little gadgets can enhance the coverage provided by a wifi network, and secure your connection with a VPN for multiple devices. They are often pocket size, and can easily be used on the go. If you're working with a team that is moving between locations, each member can stay connected to the router, rather than having everyone connect to various wifi networks. It's only necessary to connect the travel router to each new wifi network.
Some travel routers allow you to connect and share data on an external hard drive, and some have SIM card slots so you can work independently of wifi networks. If the travel router has an ethernet port, a single network cable can provide a wireless connection for multiple devices.
In a pinch, you can slso use travel routers to charge a smartphone.
Not every travel router will provide you with an entirely secure connection. Make sure that you get one that does not have a hardcoded password, and select a strong password for the travel router.
One of the many details to worry about when you're getting ready for trial is how to get permission from the court to bring in your smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices. The National Center for State Courts has a great resource that can help you find the necessary information for a number of state courts. See this web page, "Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policies - Social Media and the Courts State Links".
The NCSC has posted links to state court policies on the use of portable electronic devices and wireless access in courtrooms.
So, for example Rule 122.1 of the Supreme Court of Arizona permits the use of portable electronic devices (laptops, cell phones, etc.) to retrieve and storage information, and to send text messages, but instructs that the devices be silenced while they are in the courtroom.
Rules posted for the Connecticut Superior Court by Judge Patrick L. Carroll III, the Chief Court Administrator, specifically permit the use of portable scanners for imaging documents in the clerk's office and printers outside of courtrooms.
The Local Rules of Practice for the Third Judicial Circuit for Harrison County, Indiana simply prohibit attorneys from turning on their smartphones: "No person, excluding law enforcement, or person exempted by the Court, shall take, carry, transport or possess any firearm or explosive device, in any area, in or adjacent to the Harrison County Courthouse, State of Indiana or in the Harrison County Justice Center in Corydon, Indiana. Additionally, cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices, shall be placed in the 'off' position while in the Courtroom." See Ind. Harrison LR31-AR00-08.
