Blog list great gifts for litigators on your list

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Dec 6, 2007 by Marie Price

OKLAHOMA CITY - Traffic on attorney Reid Trautz's law blog always picks up this time of year.

It's when he posts his Holiday Gift Guide for Lawyers, now in its third year.

Trautz, a Washington, D.C., lawyer, operates ReidMyBlog, a popular site for information on law firm marketing, management, tech tips and related issues.

This year, he said, sponsors of some of the items he recommends have promoted the site, further boosting traffic on the blog.

"It kind of hit its peak last week," he said.

Trautz said that most of the hits come from Google searches, indicating that people are specifically looking for gifts for attorneys.

He said one of the blog's other major referral sources is a law- practice blog operated by Jim Calloway, director of the management assistance program at the Oklahoma Bar Association.

Trautz said he is also getting hits from a British blog due to inclusion on the list of UK-produced sofa pillows bearing lawyer- related messages.

Among Trautz's own favorites is the iPhone, which is on many a wish list.

"It's clearly going to be the gift of choice, at least for techy lawyers, this year," he said.

Another favorite is what Trautz calls a fun gift "for the lawyer who has everything," clever figurines that can be customized with attorney and case names, etc.

He admits to being especially fond of the GPS device.

Trautz said he's found his own GPS unit invaluable in locating nearby restaurants and other establishments when he's on the road, both for finding them and providing directions.

"For practicality, I've really fallen in love with the GPS device," he said.

However, Trautz said he has probably had more e-mail comments about a soft-bodied alarm shaped like a grenade, which can be lobbed into the bedroom of oversleeping teenagers (and others). He said readers say the "Sonic Alarm Grenade" could come in handy in their families.

2007 Holiday Gift Guide for Lawyers by Reid Trautz

My Holiday Gift Guide for Lawyers is back for the third consecutive year, with an expanded array of noteworthy recommendations for the lawyers in your life. Not a tie, gavel, or kitschy brass scales on this list, just gifts that any self- respecting, hard-working, red-blooded American lawyer wouldn't love to have-if they had the time to find it themselves and tell you about it!

Once again, I've compiled this list as a public service for my learned professional colleagues and their time-sensitive, gift idea- starved family, friends, partners, associates and, dare I say, appreciative clients? Yep, that means that once again I make no money on this guide. No Google Ad Words, referral fees, nor sponsorships. Consider it pro bono publico! The gift ideas are in no particular order (except I'm hoping my wife notices I put the iPhone first), and range in price from under $10 to several hundred. Enjoy!

Apple iPhone: Sorry to say I don't own one, but it's on my Christmas list! I've played with several, read the blogs, and talked with numerous owners. The verdict? It's not perfect, but more than worthy of the Apple name. Buries the needle on the way-cool meter. Ditto the functionality. A must-have if you already are on the AT&T network; for all others compare your carrier's coverage map before you switch. $399 from AT&T and Apple.

Sonic Alarm Grenade: Although this would make a great office practical joke, the real purpose of this gadget is to wake your teenager after sleeping half the day away. Just pull the pin, lob it in their room and close the door. The only way to stop the shrieking is to put the pin back in. Makes a wonderful gift for your favorite lawyer with a typical teenager! About $13 at Thinkgeek.com

Dough-Nu-Matic: OK, maybe not the healthiest gift, but just imagine the hot sugary doughnuts to go with that Starbucks Grande. This counter-top device automatically forms, fries, and drains mini- doughnuts in under 60 seconds. A hit with staff for early morning or a late-night office snack attack. Available through SkyMall.

Lap Track: Swimming laps is great low- impact, stress-relieving exercise for any lawyer, especially those of us who are looking at our prime athletic years in the rearview mirror. This portable underwater device helps count laps and makes it more fun to boot. Kinda makes up for the doughnuts. (SkyMall).

WildCharge: Wouldn't we all just like to toss our cell phone or iPod down on our desk and have it charge automatically? No cords or adapters? Well, WildCharge is the first wire-free charging system for handheld portable electronics. Just add the small adapter to your cell phone, PDA or similar device, then toss it on the WildCharger pad (about 6 inches square) to recharge it. The pad holds up to 5 devices at a time, but adapters are only currently available for Razr phones and the iPod Nano. Just named one of Time magazine's Best Inventions of 2007. Sounds like this soon may be required equipment. Available from the manufacturer for $90 plus shipping.

Buddha Board: While they keep adding more and more clever gifts at The Billable Hour Company, I think the Buddha Board is truly unique. As the name implies, just a few moments of "painting" on this reusable board will put any Type-A lawyer in a peaceful Zen state of mind. The paint is really just water that appears black on this special white board. It disappears as it dries, ready to use again the next time your favorite lawyer needs a few minutes of calm.