A Practical Guide to Mobile Application and Device Management for Legal Aid Organizations

Legal aid organizations increasingly rely on smartphones and tablets to support remote work, client communication, court appearances, and secure access to case management systems. But as mobile technology expands, so do questions about security, privacy, compliance, and device control.

The MAM and MDM Deployment Manual is a plain-language guide designed to help legal aid leaders and technology staff understand two essential mobile security frameworks:

• Mobile Application Management (MAM)
• Mobile Device Management (MDM)

This manual was created by ArchTech with funding from a Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) from the Legal Services Corporation and is made available to the community through LSNTAP.

Why This Guide Matters

Legal aid organizations face unique challenges:

• Protecting confidential client information
• Supporting hybrid and remote work
• Managing personal vs. organization-issued devices
• Balancing usability with security
• Complying with funder and ethical obligations
• Understanding the difference between MAM and MDM — and knowing when to use each — is critical for making informed, risk-aware technology decisions.

This guide helps you cut through technical jargon and focus on what matters: safeguarding client data while empowering staff.

What You’ll Learn

Inside the manual, you’ll find:

• Clear definitions of Mobile Application Management (MAM) and Mobile Device Management (MDM)
• A comparison of how MAM and MDM differ
• Common use cases in legal aid environments
• Security and confidentiality considerations
• Practical implementation factors
• Questions to ask vendors and IT consultants
• Strategic considerations for leadership teams

Whether you are an executive director, IT manager, operations leader, or program director, this resource provides a foundation for thoughtful decision-making about mobile technology management.

Who Should Read This?

This guide is ideal for:

• Legal aid executive leadership
• IT directors and administrators
• Operations and compliance staff
• Program managers overseeing remote teams
• Organizations evaluating mobile security solutions

No advanced technical background is required.

About the Authors

This guide was developed by ArchTech, a consulting firm specializing in technology solutions for legal aid and access-to-justice organizations. The project was funded through a Technology Initiative Grant from the Legal Services Corporation, which supports innovative technology efforts in civil legal services.

LSNTAP is proud to share this resource with the broader legal services community as part of its mission to provide practical technology education and training.