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A growing number of lawyers and judges have discovered that an iPad offers a much easier way to transport documents and take notes during legal proceedings.

However, as Portland attorney Jamie Daigle noticed, an iPad often can be unwieldy when being held as information is presented, particularly in a courtroom.

Daigle partnered with fellow attorney Bryan Churchill to create The Clutch, an iPad accessory that is an ergonomic handle. The Clutch also serves as a stand that supports an iPad while its user types, views documents and engages in videoconferences.

Daigle, a former Washington County prosecutor whose practice at includes construction litigation and professional malpractice defense, says the first prototype was made from cellophane tape in 2010.

鈥淎bout two weeks later we saw something similar on the Internet, and we almost gave up,鈥� Daigle said. 鈥淏ut Bryan got the idea to show the prototype to some friends, so rather than doing what we originally planned, we came up with the idea for some type of handle.鈥�

Daigle and Churchill went to a hobby shop to find items they could use to make a new prototype, and spent the weekend crafting what would become The Clutch. As a self-funded invention fine-tuned on the weekends, however, its development evolved slowly.

Daigle and Churchill connected with patent attorney John McCormack and launched a startup called DC Mobile Design, using Kickstarter.com to promote The Clutch. So far, The Clutch is generating positive reviews, and the attorneys plan to meet with a manufacturer in early February.

Along with legal professionals, the potential market for The Clutch includes airline pilots. The Federal Aviation Administration recently approved pilot use of iPads in the cockpit, allowing the electronic device to replace the weighty paper charts pilots are required to carry. Daigle was approached by a Delta Airlines pilot who expressed interest in The Clutch, and United Airlines has purchased 10,000 iPads for pilot use, he said.

Daigle, noting that he and Churchill have ideas for several other complementary DC Mobile products as well, admits that the process has its share of highs and lows.

鈥淏eing an entrepreneur takes perseverance, and while it鈥檚 very stressful it鈥檚 also a lot of fun. If you believe in what you鈥檙e doing and are passionate about it, it鈥檚 all worthwhile,鈥� he said.