Summation, the popular litigation support software, is now available in a Windows version (4.0). Although touted by the publisher as a case management system, that is a bit of an overstatement. Rather, Summation is a document management system, allowing a litigator to quickly index and search evidentiary documents.

Any document that is in, or can be converted to, ASCII format can be added to the Summation database. The most obvious use is deposition transcripts. Most court reporters will provide a free ASCII disk along with the transcript. However, any other document, such as written discovery responses, can be scanned and brought into Summation.

Summation can then read the documents and locate any word or phrase within seconds. It can take you to those occurrences, or provide a report on your search in whatever format you design. Unfortunately, the basic software lacks the ability to access graphic images. You must add a $700 "image module" if you want the ability to view non-ASCII exhibits.

Summation makes very nice use of the Windows environment. When a case file is opened, the program presents an image of a file drawer, complete with labeled file folders. A click on the file opens that particular document.

As with other document management programs, you can add annotations to the documents in the database. You can then search the notes you have created, the full text of the documents, or both. This is very useful since it allows you to flag important passages by inserting key search terms in the notes.

To speed the search process, Summation contains an indexing feature called Blaze. "Blazing" a document sorts and indexes every word it contains, which makes subsequent searches almost instantaneous.

Another feature offered by Summation is voice annotation. At any point in a document, you can dictate a verbal note, assuming you are using a computer with a sound card and microphone. For an individual user this would probably have little practicality -- most would simply type in a note. But in a network environment, it might prove more useful where multiple users could exchange thoughts.

Summation for Windows is really a Windows/DOS hybrid. It uses the Windows interface to make the program easier to use, but many of the program's housekeeping functions still require the DOS version. For example, sorting with Blaze and deleting documents must be done in DOS. Not to worry though. The Windows version comes with the complete DOS version, and switching back and forth is seamless. On a network, both DOS and Windows users have complete access to the program.

Summation for Windows 4.0 is available in both single user and network versions. It is available from Summation Legal Technologies, Inc. at (800) 735-7866. The single user version costs $995, or $1,695 with the imaging module. The five user network version costs $3,495, or $4,495 with imaging. Licenses for larger offices are available. There is no Macintosh version.

Aaron Morris attended Southwestern University School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and graduated cum laude in 1987. His practice areas include Free Speech, Defamation and SLAPP Law, as well as employment law (wrongful termination, discrimination, etc.) business litigation (breach of contract, trade secret, partnership dissolution, unfair business practices, etc.). He received national attention after prevailing against Bank of America for banking violations. A recognized expert on Internet law, he recently prevailed in two major Internet cases on behalf of clients that were fighting spammers. Every year since 2008, Mr. Morris has been rated “Best Orange County Attorney” by Tustin Magazine. He is the author of California SLAPP Law and How to Start Your Own Law Firm. He has lectured as an Adjunct Professor at both Whittier Law School and National University, teaching “Litigation Skills & Strategies”. He is the current President of the California Defamation Lawyers Association. Mr. Morris is a writer and lecturer on the subjects of law and law office efficiency, and has been a featured speaker at such functions as the American Bar Association TechShow.