There are hundreds, if not thousands of online tools and mobile applications to make our lives easier. Many of these can be used to help us with legal and financial matters, from calculating loans to finding the closest lawyer.

For example, there's the Diamond & Diamond Real Estate calculator that can help consumers determine how much they'll owe in closing costs. However, sometimes it's lawyers who need an application or two that'll help them run their business, research precedents or signing documents.

If you're a legal professional, here are the top three apps you need to make your life just a little easier.

Research: Fastcase

Fastcase is a research app that you can get from either the Apple Store or Google Play for free. It puts a library of laws in the palm of your hand, making it easy to look for information on past cases and legal precedents.

The Good: The app is incredibly easy to use, can synchronize with the desktop software and holds relatively high ratings on both mobile stores.

The Bad: Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like Fastcase is still being updated. The last one was in 2013, which appears to be one of the biggest complaints amongst reviewers.

Meetings: Zoom

Zoom has become a lot more popular over the last few months, especially for businesses that regularly consult with clients or coworkers. If you need to schedule a remote meeting with a client or have a chat with your legal team, this is an excellent option.

The Good: The free version of the application can be great for smaller firms or meetings that don't require significant collaboration. It's a top choice for one-on-one consultations that can't take place face to face.

The Bad: To unlock most of the features and collaboration functions, you'll need to buy a premium plan.

Signing Documents: DocuSign

DocuSign isn't just a signature application. It's one of the most powerful and legally binding contract management platforms available today. If you need a central and secure location to manage your documents, you should be using this software.

Aside from facilitating digital signatures, the application also allows for contract analytics and lifecycle management, and it can streamline negotiations and reviews. These features make it an incredibly useful tool for legal teams.

The Good: While it's primarily a cloud-based solution, there's a DocuSign app available that will work on most devices and operating systems. It's also the premier esignature platform globally, used by many top brands and service providers.

The Bad: Currently, there are no free versions available, and DocuSign's plans can get a little pricey.

An App For Everyone

It doesn't matter whether you're a client or an industry professional; you're likely using several apps every day. However, lawyers often underestimate how many applications can help them manage their firms and streamline research and operations.

You can find an app for almost everything, from software that can provide precedents with a simple search to a legally binding contract and negotiation platform. As a lawyer, you just need to be open to how technology can help you get the most out of your day and practice. Forward-thinking law firms like Diamond & Diamond have already embraced what digital technology can bring to the legal profession. It's high time you did too.