Prism Legal Consulting, Inc. KMintheLaw
Examples of Legal Advice and Guidance over the Web
September 2003
Here is a list of law firms and other organizations that use the Web to deliver advice, guidance, or legal training to clients. This list is based on instances Prism has found and is neither comprehensive nor complete. If you know of or find additional examples, please send a message to ron@prismlegal.com.
Listings Added in 2003 (Does not mean
site came into existence – only that I came across it in 2003)
CONTENTS
Ballard Spahr
Andrews& Ingersoll
Orrick, Herrington
& Sutcliffe
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP
Organizations
Other than Firms and Departments
(Alphabetic
Order by Firm or Company Name)
|
Organization |
Type of Service |
Description of Service Date source and URL last checked
|
Addleshaw Booth |
Online conveyancing and re-mortgaging |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “Enact has been established to offer fast, efficient and innovative volume legal services for conveyancing and remortgaging transactions. enact is part of Addleshaw Booth & Co with expertise in all aspects of legal practice and with significant expertise in the property market.” http://www.enact-online.co.uk/whoweare.html
OTHER INFORMATION: “National
firm Addleshaw Booth & Co last month reported a good financial
performance for its commoditised legal services division, Enact.
Revenue for Enact — now in its second year of operation — increased from
£5.4m to £9.2m per year.” Legal IT article of |
Allen & Overy New Change |
Document creation and extranet Derivatives netting service |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: June 2003 “The focus of Allen & Overy's range of newchange products is on transforming the way in which we communicate with and provide services to our clients.
NEW IN 2003: Netalytics
is a derivatives netting product. More information about it is available from
a PDF file
from the website. See also Online legal
services: Exploiting expertise in LegalIT.
|
Baker & McKenzie BakerMAKS™ |
Online collaboration, knowledge management, and document assembly |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “BakerMAKS™ is Baker & McKenzie's new web-based knowledge management system. This proprietary system allows Baker & McKenzie practitioners and clients to access a shared database of legal expertise – a virtual library of legal precedents, local regulatory issues, and research … captures not just documents, but best practices related to how a specific legal matter is handled and the sequence of tasks needed to complete a project…. BakerMAKS™ is also a sophisticated productivity tool that helps organize even the most complex multi-jurisdiction project using built-in calendars, contact lists, and project management capabilities - efficiently linking the user to relevant documents, corporate information, and communications.” http://www.bakerandmckenzie.com/BakerNet/Resources/Client+Sites/BakerMAKS+-+About.htm
OTHER INFORMATION: · See also article at http://www.internetweek.com/customers/customers102201-1.htm ·
Document Assembly Features Added to BakerMAKS as reported in LegalIT.net [
|
Beauchamps Soliciters Grow on Line |
Advice for e-commerce in |
Quoting from Beauchamp’s separate web site for this service: January 2003 “Growonline, run by Beauchamps Solicitors,one of
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Berwin Leighton Paisner
|
Data protection compliance |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “e-businesses operating in the http://www.complytoday.com/intro.html There are five modules: “Module 1 - Quick reference information pack Module 2 - Dealing with new Notification regime to cover online processing Module 3 - Customised Privacy Policy Module 4 - Checklist to deal with access requests Module 5 - Standard clauses for transferring data overseas “ http://www.complytoday.com/help.html
“The fee for each module is £100 plus VAT, so that the price of the entire package is £500 plus VAT. The modules can be ordered separately, but we recommend that e-businesses wishing to achieve data protection compliance sign up for the whole package.” http://www.complytoday.com/cost.html |
Appleby Spurling & Kempe Just AS&K |
Document creation and incorporation management |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “Welcome to Just AS&K [Inc], the only
interactive Internet site for the incorporation of OTHER INFORMATION: See also an interesting article about this site by Warren Cabral, a partner of Appleby Spurling & Kempe: Designing Your Web Site, June 2002, Legal Technology News.
|
Ballard Spahr Andrews& Ingersoll |
Automated commercial real estate lending |
Quoting a press release: January 2003 “e-Cognita Technologies, Inc. today announced that Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, a national law firm with more than 350 lawyers in seven offices, has selected e-Cognita's Streamloaner(TM) Closing Management software to automate the firm's commercial real estate finance practice…. Streamloaner automates commercial real estate lending for all parties involved. The browser-based software works within and between businesses to automate and streamline the entire loan and service delivery process, from underwriting through closing, to portfolio or sale. Law firms and commercial lenders using Streamloaner benefit from its elimination of repetitive data entry and coordination of collaborative communication between internal and external parties, as well as its ability to highly automate intelligent documents of any type. The software streamlines the processing and closing of loans.” http://www.e-cognita.com/pages/news/ballard.htm
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Blake Dawson Virtual Lawyer |
Virtual Legal Advice |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 Virtual Lawyer saves time and money on legal bills, allows a business to work smarter and prevents the demand for legal assistance outstripping a business' legal resources… Virtual Lawyer is particularly useful if compliance questions are regularly being referred to a business' in house-legal department… A Virtual Lawyer is an Internet delivered expert system used to solve problems, provide advice, answer legal questions or intelligently collect information…. Virtual Lawyer systems can be developed for almost any area of law that is required and have been developed in a number of different areas of law including advertising, privacy, FSRB, GST, price exploitation and customer complaints. A Virtual Lawyer system takes the user through a question and answer session. Each question posed depends on how the previous question was answered. Once all relevant questions have been answered the program generates a summary report in plain English. The report may resolve the inquiry or provide initial advice as to whether a certain transaction is compliant. The report can be e-mailed to the legal compliance department for review or further action.” http://www.bdw.com.au/areas/legaltech/products_vl.htm OTHER INFORMATION: “Virtual Lawyer – Advertising’ will question a brand manager about the terms used in an advertisement. It then renders a verdict on whether an ad breaks Australian advertising law or regulations.” AmLaw Tech, December
1999 or http://www6.law.com/ny/tech/111599t1.html
|
Bond Pearce
|
Trademark and domain name management |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “[A]n innovative on-line domain name management service, allowing users to search, register and manage domain names in multiple jurisdictions.” “We will handle on a world wide basis your applications for the registration of trade marks and domain names. We will renew those registrations when required and provide all the strategic commercial and legal advice you need for the protection and exploitation of your brands…. There are more than 240 country-specific domains. Unfortunately, there are many differences in approach in those countries. We can advise you on the requirements.” Brand Protect Introductory Page |
Bryan Cave No Zone |
Virtual Legal Advice and online compliance training |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 · TradeZoneSM: The on-line way to obtain accurate, up-to-the-minute legal advice and opinions regarding specific international trade transactions. · NoZoneSM For Supervisors: Train your supervisors to recognize and respond to discrimination and harassment in the workplace with this engaging, interactive on-line course, customized to reflect your corporate policies and recent legal mandates. · NoZoneSM For Employees: Build a harassment-free workplace, with this innovative and interactive on-line training program designed to teach all employees how to recognize and avoid discrimination and harassment, and how to report it when it happens. http://www.bryancave.com/ecave/ecave.asp
OTHER INFORMATION: “A client preparing to import or export goods can access the firm’s ‘Trade Zone’ site… answers a series of detailed questions… The site flashes a ‘red light’ if an answer indicates the deal is likely to run into international trade snags… ‘No Zone’ trains workplace supervisors in the thorny arena of harassment law.” National Law Journal, June 26, 2000
|
Clifford Chance |
Advice, alerts, legal source material, other information |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “NextLaw provides rapid and practical assistance when assessing legal and regulatory risks of e-commerce in multi-jurisdictions. · Online Contract Formation · Electronic Signatures · Encryption · Data Protection · Bank Secrecy” http://www.cliffordchance.com/nextlaw/index.html “Keeping abreast of complex and ever changing markets worldwide is a key challenge. In response to these challenges, we have developed Alerter services in the following industry sectors: Finance Industry: The Alerter service for the finance industry covers three key sectors: banking, investment services and insurance in a range of jurisdictions. Communications & Media: The Alerter service for the communications & media industry covers key developments in a range of jurisdictions for fixed and mobile communications, radio and television. The service includes: · "Push" email alert tailored to your personal profile · Concise structured digest of regulatory developments from international centres · Directory of regulators, exchanges etc. · Quick links to other relevant sites http://www.cliffordchance.com/alerter/index.html The Enterprise Bill proposes some radical changes to the COMPLY will revolutionise the way you and your employees learn about competition compliance - you study over the web in an interactive environment, literally any time, any place and at your own pace… · trains staff on competition law issues online · examines staff with a bank of pre-prepared questions selected at random · monitors pass rates and provides a verifiable audit trail on an ongoing basis…. http://www.cliffordchance.com/comply/index.html
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Davis
Polk
Global Collateral Advisor |
Virtual Legal Advice |
Quoting similar articles in the New York Law Journal and AmLaw Tech article: January 2003 “Davis Polk's Global Collateral Project focuses on cross-border financings, allowing clients to enter the variables for a specific transaction and pull up legal analysis the firm has rendered - for those or similar variables - in the past.” http://www6.law.com/ny/tech/111599t1.html and AmLaw Tech, December 1999
|
Denton Wilde
Sapte
|
Standard lease
documents and advice |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “Every day we come across standard leasing documents which have not
stood the test of time. By placing our regularly updated Standard Documents
in Leasebank, we are providing members with a modern and effective means of
keeping their documents up to date. Members can also obtain advice on a
specific clause whilst in a particular document.” http://www.leasingadvice.co.uk/index.htm
“This service is
complimentary to existing clients of the leasing department. The annual fee
for non-clients is £10,000 (refundable on first transaction instructions).” http://www.leasingadvice.co.uk/register.asp
OTHER INFORMATION: Quoting Charles Christian’s Legal News Media: July 2001 “Denton Wilde
Sapte will next week launch a new online legal service for the leasing
industry called Leasebank. The pricing model for the service, which will
include advice as well as downloadable document templates, will be based
around an annual subscription fee - reported to be £10,000 pa - that is
refundable to users who subsequently instruct the firm. Given that it is an
old complaint, here at New Media Lawyer, that many law firms are currently
giving away the family silver through offering far too much free material on
their web sites to users who will never convert into fee paying clients,
Denton's approach may prove a happy compromise.” http://www.legaltechnology.org/ezine/headline83.htm#top
New Media Lawyer, Issue.83 – Note that this
firm’s Web site also has an interesting feature
– it allows customizing to generate personal shortcuts to content of interest
and personalized legal/industry alerts
|
Dykema Gossett
|
Automated commercial real estate lending |
Quoting a press release: January 2003 “ "We needed a cutting edge technology platform to enable that commitment, and have found that platform in e-Cognita's Closing Management System, one that enables us to work directly with our clients in both on-line and traditional off-line environments." [said James C. Adams, co-leader of Dykema Gossett's Real Estate Practice Group]… StreamLoaner™ automates commercial real estate lending for all parties involved. The browser-based software works within and between businesses to automate and streamline the entire loan and service delivery process, from underwriting through closing, to portfolio or sale.” http://www.e-cognita.com/pages/news/dykema.htm
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Eversheds
|
Content rich web site and extranets Brand monitoring |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 Knowledge Banks “Eversheds Knowledge Banks are online services providing subscribers with key law and news information feeds organised under subject areas and designed to meet our clients' legal and business information needs. Our Employment, Commercial Property and Education Knowledge Banks have launched and will be joined by others over the coming months… The Commercial Property and Employment Knowledge Banks provide full text and up to date statute law, case law and latest news sources taken from leading commercial information providers including Butterworths LexisNexis Direct and FT.com. Also included within each Knowledge Bank is relevant Eversheds' know-how and commentary.” http://www.eversheds.com/about/communitydemo.asp
EVERSHEDS.complete “A new, ground-breaking service designed to provide subscribers with: · critical, tailored business and legal information · legal know-how · secure Extranet services · personalised project and deal rooms · access from almost anywhere in the world through a Sony VAIO notebook. ... We have brought together some of the world's leading information providers, our own lawyers' know-how, and news as it breaks about your business and key market sectors. In addition you can have a secure Extranet, project and deal room technology. This service has been developed with our clients and is now available for you to access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you need to!” http://www.eversheds.com/about/aboutthissite.asp
Extranets “Our Extranet tools allow you to work collaboratively with
us, distribute confidential documents and manage your legal matters and costs
in a fully secure online environment…. Managing projects in short timescales, often with many parties and copious documents, can be pressured and time-consuming. Eversheds.complete offers versatile and secure online capabilities to project manage major transactions and other legal projects in a safe and easy to use environment. Our project rooms ensure that all key information and documents relating to a particular transaction or deal are kept in one confidential place…. We are able to offer our clients the opportunity to build their own online document store. This service is designed for clients whose job involves managing, storing and having quick access to large numbers of documents from anywhere in the world. When combined with our flexible online collaboration tools we can provide clients with the ability to set up their own secure intranets to share documents online within their organisation.” http://www.eversheds.com/about/collab.asp BRANDcomplete™ “BRANDcomplete™ has been developed by Eversheds with MarkMonitor (a leading web surveillance company) to enable clients to develop and manage their brands on the web. It also protects businesses against abuse of their trade marks and domain names on the Internet. By combining the sophisticated real time search technologies of MarkMonitor with Eversheds' expertise, BRANDcomplete™ provides invaluable and unique support to brand and trade mark owners.” http://www.eversheds.com/brandcomplete/home.asp OTHER INFORMATION: Eversheds partner Kevin Doolan explains, in a published article, the background for offering the services desribed above. “I.T. @ Eversheds”, November 2002, Legal Technology News Debt Recovery Service Transferred to New Entity As of October 2002: “EVERSHEDS HAS TRANSFERRED ITS ONLINE COMMERCIAL DEBT RECOVERY SERVICE TO LEGAL RECOVERIES & COLLECTIONS LIMITED Following a review of its
debt recovery operations, Eversheds has decided to transfer its From August 2001: “Eversheds deliver an efficient and professional debt recovery service. Our aim is to collect your debts in the shortest time possible, reducing your debtor days and improving your cash flow…. Starting the process could not be easier. You can instruct us by completing an online instruction form on the following pages. We will then send a letter to your debtor demanding payment… You remain in control. After you have placed a debt with us for collection, we provide you with real time access to your case records and online reporting facilities” http://www.everdebt.com/index.htm
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Fried
Frank
|
Government contracts resources |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “Welcome to the on-line companian to, Multiple Award Schedule Contracting, a new book by John W. Chierichella and Jonathan S. Aronie. This page still is somewhat under construction, but soon it will host a wealth of information relating to the MAS program.” http://www.ffhsj.com/mac/mac.htm or www.schedulecontracts.com OTHER INFORMATION: Firm press release at http://www.ffhsj.com/pressreleases/chierjo_mac.htm
|
Foley & Lardner |
Web-based document drafting for IP, varied resources for HR, patent application software |
Based on a January 2003 article in Corporate Legal Times Not Applicable This article focuses on how Johnson Controls is using Extranets to control legal costs. Discussing Foley & Lardner, the article reports that Foley lawyers have saved 30% of the time to draft IP contracts because “the IP section of Foley’s extranet allows a Johnson Controls lawyer to generate customized non-disclosure, joint development or licensing agreements in real time simply by filling out a web-based questionnaire.” Separately, Foley also provides content for HR issues, including “checklists, precedents, forms, white papers, legal updates and practical advice on employment law problems…” The system also includes an “e-orientation classroom.” New features are planned. “Foley is now developing software that will streamline the patent application and disclosure process and make it more efficient by ensuring that all of Johnson Controls’ 2,000 engineers around the world have access to the same information.” Johnson Controls Exploits Power of Law Firm Extranets by Julius Melnitzer, Corporate Legal Times, Page 21, January 2003 |
General Electric Virtual Patent Advisor |
Virtual Legal Advice and online research |
Quoting from the American Lawyer magazine: Not Applicable “[T]he Virtual Patent Advisor… allows lawyers and engineers to enter information about a product under development and quickly find out about potential patent problems… ‘We have taken a process that took months and reduced it to real time, maybe fifteen minutes’ say Robert Lampe, Jr. a senior patent lawyer at Power Systems.” The American Lawyer, March 1998 [Article is not on the web]
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Gilbert and Tobin |
Online compliance training, contract drafting and management, and software legal guide |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “Gilbert + Tobin has developed a
number of online compliance and legal advisory business products. G+T Online COMPLIANCE , ContractControl and the AIIA Software Legal
Guide were all developed for the principal purpose of taking legal and
related commercial knowledge beyond the confines of corporate legal
departments and out into the broader organisation.” e-services, innovation page of firm web site Compliance Training “G+T Online COMPLIANCE is an easy solution with efficient measuring tools and many other key benefits to help you manage complex areas of legal risk. Our cost-effective compliance eLearning programs have been developed for employees at all levels, and include: Trade Practices Privacy NetControl Smart Contracting It is crucial for every company to ensure that it is protected against the hefty fines and penalties, loss of reputation and waste of management resources that can result from ignorance of the law. Organisations need to have a culture of compliance. Education of employees with easily updatable programs always available on the desktop can significantly minimise the threats to your business.” e-services, compliance page of firm web site See also Sherpa Online “Gilbert
+ Tobin has developed a suite of four Internet-delivered
compliance and business training tools, specifically designed for the non
legal audience. Branded G+T Sherpa Online, Gilbert + Tobin is responsible for
the content (including Case Studies, Activities and Tests), the interactive
software program, and the integrated Learner Management System, all using
proven web-based ASP delivery technology…. We've
launched with four programs initially, but many more are on the drawing
board. Trade Practices Privacy NetControl Smart Contracting Using proven instructional and user-centred
learning methodologies, all programs combine a clear explanation of key
points, illustrated by case studies and useful do's and don'ts, with a
comprehensive online test. Management tracking and reporting features enable you
to monitor your employees' knowledge and abilities and pinpoint any problem
areas. This tracking system can provide proof to regulators and courts that
you have an effective compliance training system in place. http://www.sherpaonline.com.au/asp/MainFrame.asp Contract Management
and Creation “Corporations have long sought a solution to their complex, time-consuming and danger-fraught contracting legal needs. The Gilbert + Tobin commercial service group and our in-house IT expertise came together to provide the solution: a turnkey online contract creation, re-use and management tool. … ContractControl is an internet-enabled product that allows global access to sophisticated applications which create and manage contracts and track regulatory requirements in a smarter way…
e-service, contractcontrol page of firm web site Software Legal
Guide “The latest addition to our “e-products” is the AIIA Software Legal Guide, developed in conjunction with the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA). A comprehensive web-based information service… to help software developers and suppliers take advantage of their legal rights and associated commercial opportunities, as well as to protect themselves legally. The guide directs its user through basic legal considerations which could easily mean the difference between success and failure. Or between smooth sailing business and law suits…. The AIIA Software Legal Guide comprises these modules: Developing Your Products, Protecting Your Ideas and Products, Taking Your Product to Market, Going International, Software Contracting, Dealing with Staff and Consultants, Supporting Your Product, Taxation, Risk Management & Liability Control, Suing & Being Sued, e-Commerce, Online Issues & Legal Compliance” e-service, AIIA Software Legal Guide page of firm web site See also http://www.aiia.com.au/softwarelegalguide/ and http://www.aiia.gtlaw.com.au/asp/MainFrame.asp |
Hammonds Hammonds Direct |
High volume conveyancing, commercial and residential; commercial debt recovery |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 Commercial
Conveyancing “HammondsDirect is one of the Previously (December 2001), the description on this web site stated: “HammondsDirect provides comprehensive legal support to lenders and financial institutions in the following areas: Sale & Purchase, First Time Buyer, Remortgage, Mortgage Arrears Management & Litigation, Mortgagee Sales…. Our clients have DIRECT access to real time management information and financial summary reports through Internet browser technology…. Through our sophisticated workflow and imaging technology we are able to deliver DIRECT at the touch of a button information which identifies the status of a transaction. Demonstrable added value can now be achieved by the outsourcing of volume transaction management [including faster loan draw down and risk management]” Residential Conveyancing “Legalmove.com the · a fixed competitive fee with no hidden charges · 24 hour realtime online access to your up to the minute case details · telephone support if you need it 7 days a week · online updates on your case progress · a quicker home move” Commercial Debt Recovery Welcome to debtlinedirect, the commercial debt recovery
business of http://www.debtlinedirect.com/ |
Hugh James Ford Simey |
Documents, fixed fee packages, guidance notes and in-take questionnaires for commercial, personal, and Internet law |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “Click2law is the dedicated website of the Business Services Division at Hugh James Solicitors. The site aims to provide quality legal and advisory services to the SME [small and medium enterprise] sector. All information and instructions will remain confidential and secure and will be handled by a dedicated legal team. A library of legal documents, fixed fee packages, free guidance notes and instruction questionnaires provide the business manager with a wealth of legal services and information.” |
Keller & Heckman |
Feature articles, e-mail notification, and Q&A pages for food packaging industry |
Summarizing information from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 Law firm operated web site for the food packaging industry. Features include monthly focus report (several articles on one topic), archives of prior articles, e-mail alerts, and “Ask an Attorney:’ “Packaginglaw.com invites you to submit a question related to packaging law to the Keller and Heckman packaging law practice team. The Ask an Attorney feature is intended only as a forum for general discussion. Any response we provide via this site is not in the nature of legal representation. We would like to hear from you, but we cannot represent you until we establish an attorney/client relationship through our usual client intake process. Accordingly, please phrase your question only in general terms. You agree that your question will not include specific details about any matter that may involve you and that you will never send any confidential information to this Site.” http://www.packaginglaw.com/index_ask_submit_disclaimer.cfm
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Linklaters Term Sheet Generator |
Advice, document creation, and transaction management |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: March 2003 Blue Flag “Blue Flag® is the way Linklaters delivers legal services electronically.
Blue Flag page on Linklaters site see also http://www.blueflag.com/ Blue Flag includes services for Regulatory, Deriviatives, Shareholding Disclosures, Funds, Pensions, Employee Share Plans, Confirms, World Bank, Netmark, and FSMA Litigation. Selected descriptions follow from the web site follow: “Blue Flag®
Regulatory delivers detailed regulatory compliance advice to financial
institutions via the Internet. It gives the legal advice you need when
conducting financial services business in, and across the “Blue Flag® Derivatives highlights the risks involved and details the steps that need to be taken to ensure that transactions are binding on counterparties. Advice is available covering a variety of counterparties including corporates, insurance companies, pension funds, mutual funds and other collective investment schemes. Blue Flag® Derivatives accurately explains how a counterparty is constituted, its capacity to enter into derivatives transactions and the regulators involved. It details the approvals and documentation required, rights to counterparty's assets in the event of insolvency, discussion and relevant enforcement issues and provides the representations that should be included in standard documentation.” “Blue Flag® Shareholding Disclosure is designed for companies and financial institutions who face the challenge of having to comply with detailed shareholding disclosure rules which differ from country to country and where breach can give rise to criminal liability. Advice for each jurisdiction is presented as an easy to use summary matrix with hypertext links taking you to the underlying rules and detailed legal advice. In certain countries the rules are further broken down to highlight if and how disclosure applies to the range of investment fund vehicles available in that jurisdiction.” “Blue Flag Funds is designed as a tool to assist Fund Managers promote and run a range of funds and to develop appropriate marketing strategies within an evolving regulatory environment. Blue Flag Funds interprets all of the applicable regulatory provisions that exist, across borders, in a variety of markets and in a number of overlapping regulatory regimes.” “Blue Flag Confirms
provides for the automatic generation of ISDA-compliant confirms. The trade
information is entered directly into Blue Flag Confirms from the houses'
existing trade capture system.The system works in conjunction with
Documentum's document management software.” Dispute Toolkit “The Linklaters Dispute Toolkit is an innovative and
efficient service providing free, web-based access to clauses on dispute
resolution, and access to over 120 links to arbitration and ADR sites.” http://www.linklaters-alliance.com/ebusiness/ebusiness.asp?navigationid=169 Term Sheet
Generator In March 2003, Linklaters announced a new online service that allows business people to generate terms sheets for syndicated loans. “The speed and accuracy with which banks can create term sheets - crucial at the start of all deals - is set to be revolutionised. This is thanks to a new intelligent online system that has been pioneered by the law firm Linklaters, with the launch of its latest on-line service, BLUE FLAG® Term Sheet Generator…. See also a descriptive article by Linklaters lawyer Kirsty
Thomson, Automating Banking Term
Sheets for Clients, Law Technology News,
April 2003
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Littler Mendelson with Employment Law Learning Technologies |
Online compliance training |
Quoting from the ELT’s Web site: January 2003 “Employment Law Learning
Technologies, Inc. (ELT) was established in 1996 to provide employers with
effective compliance and risk management solutions through education. Its
state-of-the-art online training programs for managers and employees are now
used in over 400,000 learning sessions in leading organizations across the http://www.elt-inc.com/company_summary.html See also http://www.littler.com/resources/allied_bus.htm
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Lovells |
Advice, legal source material, and document creation for international arbitration |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: October 2002 “Our site gives practical assistance to clients and prospective clients who use arbitration to settle disputes. The Drafting Engine takes users through a simple step-by-step process which leads to a tailor-made arbitration clause that can be printed off or inserted into a word-processed document. The Drafting Engine is not designed to draft the most complex arbitration agreements, such as multi-party agreements (such clauses always require fact-specific legal advice), but it ensures that the key elements of a more simple clause are covered. There are also detailed accompanying Drafting Notes (accessible by the buttons on the blue menu bar above) explaining the significance of the various factors to be considered in drafting a clause. Also available on our site are: (1) point-by-point Guides to Commencing and Responding to arbitration proceedings; (2) a Costs Calculator to give users an estimate of the costs involved in arbitration proceedings; (3) the full text of the rules of the major international arbitration institutions as well as national arbitration statutes (with summaries) and international arbitration conventions. The full text of the arbitration rules of the ICC, LCIA, AAA and WIPO is accessed by selecting Full Text in the Comparative Table of Rules. This function also makes it easy to compare the features of the ICC, LCIA, AAA or WIPO rules; (4) the Useful Links section also contains links to international and national arbitration and ADR institutions, legal associations and online libraries.”
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Mallesons Stephen Jaques PrivacyOnline
|
Virtual legal advice, compliance tools, document creation, compliance training |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 Online Products - Overview “In collaboration with clients, the firm using internet technologies has developed a number of products that enable the delivery to clients of online services that include document repositories, client instruction, document drafting and assembly, legal analysis and guidance, risk management and training.” Online Products Page of firm Web Site Contract Management “As part of the firm's interactive document services key client documents, such as complex contracts, are electronically enhanced and hosted online. Defined terms, cross-references, and related documents such as appendices, annexures, sub-contracts, tabulated data, scientific reports and financial statements are linked into interactive document libraries. Client contracts (and any other documents) can be turned into navigable, searchable and inter-dependent collections supported by contextual help files. Contract management is regularly used by clients in highly regulated environments, where significant project management, compliance and risk management issues arise.” Interactive Documents, Online Products, Firm Web Site Consumer
Credit Code Compliance “Clients can purchase a subscription to a secure online compliance guide for the Consumer Credit Code (CCC). This product assists clients to disseminate CCC regulatory obligations widely within a financial organisation, to train new staff and demonstrate to regulatory authorities that their organisation has a compliance culture. The practical and plain English compliance guide assists credit providers to understand the impact of the CCC on their systems, products, documents and procedures” Credit Code Comp, Online Products, Firm Web Site OfferDocs “Clients can purchase a subscription to OfferDocs which is an online tool that allows clients to manage the processes, and generate industry leading plain English documents, when drafting managed funds prospectuses. The decision tree logic approach of OfferDocs helps to reduce compliance risks by tracking activity and generating detailed audit reports. The drafting process is supported by expert commentary and other reference materials, and previously drafted prospectus documents are stored as future precedents. A number of leading fund managers are using OfferDocs to streamline the complex task of producing offer documents for the marketing of prospective funds.” Drafting Prospectuses, Online Products, Firm Web Site PrivacyOnline “Clients can purchase a subscription to PrivacyOnline which is an online product that enables corporations to comply with regulatory change in private sector privacy laws. PrivacyOnline assists corporations to meet the rights of individuals to privacy while protecting and maintaining the effectiveness of the corporation's business information needs. PrivacyOnline includes drafting tools, checklists, training materials, legal guides and compliance tools in one convenient up-to-date location. PrivacyOnline is being used by a number of Privacy Compliance, Online Products, Firm Web Site
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Masons OUT-LAW.COM |
Resources for E-Commerce and Media companies |
Quoting from the Out-Law Web site: January 2003 “OUT-LAW.COM is part of Masons, an international legal practice with a long-standing interest in new media, IT and the internet. This site provides guides, articles and news stories relating to everything from the drawing up of on-line contracts and agreements to issues of taxation and defamation. You will also find sample contracts, checklists and other documents, indispensable to your business planning and operation.” |
Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw
|
Resources for structured finance industry |
Quoting from the Web site: May 2003 “Securitization. Net™ is designed to be a resource for the structured finance industry, providing information from a variety of industry players. Contributing to, using and linking with Securitization. Net™ are all free… Securitization. Net™ is sponsored by Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw.” Resources include: news, firm and third party articles, software listings, advocacy organizations, and private extranets. http://www.securitization.net/aboutus/
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Morgan
Lewis
|
HSR Database Environmental information |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: September 2003 “HSRscan® - Morgan Lewis provides clients with access to our searchable database of Hart-Scott-Rodino Act informal interpretations and related information. envinfo.com
- Morgan Lewis' award-winning
on-line environmental resource features our Environmental Deskbooks,
Environmental News and Teleseminar Presentations, as well as special
materials and links to information about CERCLA, RCRA and the Clean Air Act.” http://www.morganlewis.com/index.cfm?nav=12&TaskForSearch=onlineServices
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Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
HIPAA
Manager™
|
HIPAA resources |
Quoting from the HIPPA-Manager Web site: January 2003 “HIPAA Manager™ was designed by healthcare attorneys at Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP specifically for providers in response to their requests for understandable, reliable, practical and affordable HIPAA guidance. It distinguishes itself from other programs by offering practical step-by-step guidance to help you meet your mandatory obligations. HIPAA Manager™ also gives you everything you need to meet HIPAA's deadlines - the information, the sample forms, updates, and the tools for implementation - all in one package. Unlike programs offered by consultants, HIPAA Manager™ is prepared by our lawyers, who are skilled in regulatory analysis and interpretation. [HIPAA Manager includes:] Monthly Topics, Transaction Standards Compliance Extension Assistance, Monthly Task Lists, Best Practices Database, HIPAA Handbook, Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, Workshops, Calendar of Deadlines and Extensions, Sample Forms, Helpful HIPAA Links, Articles, Presentations & Resources, and News and Updates |
Osborne Clarke |
Computer games industry forum and legal resources |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “To be a good interactive entertainment adviser you need IP, IT, music, film, competition and corporate law skills rolled into one. Our interactive team … has these skills, honed through acting for some of the leaders in the sector. We have helped established a forum for in-house lawyers of interactive entertainment publishers - ELSPA (European Leisure Software Publishers Association), are on the Executive Committee of the British Interactive Media Association, and helped establish and act as legal counsel to the South West affiliate to the Digital Alliance, SWIM (South West Interactive Media). The culmination of this activity was the launch of
gamesbiz.net, the http://www.osborneclarke.com/whatwedo/interact.asp OTHER INFORMATION: See also http://www.gamesbiz.net
Osborne Clarke is
first in UK to select GhostFill “Osborne
Clarke this month became the first UK-based user for the GhostFill Server
document assembly system.” Legal IT ( |
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe |
Online compliance training |
Quoting from a press release on the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe's Employment Law department, one of the nation's most prestigious employment-law practices, and WeComply, Inc. have teamed up to offer the first fully customizable online training program for corporate managers on a critical issue in today's workplace -- "Reductions in Force." The program is available from WeComply's web site at www.wecomply.com." http://www.orrick.com/news/release/010517_2.htm
See also http://www.wecomply.com/wc/home/press/pr_rifs.asp
|
Proskauer Rose |
Online compliance training |
Quoting from a press release on the WeComply Web site: January 2003 “Proskauer Rose LLP's labor and employment law department, one of the nation's most prestigious employment-law practices, and WeComply, Inc. have teamed up to offer the first and only fully customizable online training program for corporate managers on a critical issue in today's workplace -- "Preventing Discrimination and Harassment." http://www.wecomply.com/wc/home/press/pr_proskauer.asp See also Proskauer Seminar
Announcement (pdf)
|
ReedSmith |
State medical privacy content |
Quoting from the statehippastudy site: September 2003 “www.statehipaastudy.com... is designed as a
survey of state health information privacy laws and regulations and the
federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s implementing
privacy regulations ("HIPAA"). The site provides a user-friendly
search tool to help identify relevant state and federal health privacy rules
and to help understand, by state and by topic, whether state rules or HIPAA
rules, or both, must be followed. http://www.statehipaastudy.com See also an article on the ReedSmith website. |
Seyfarth Shaw |
Online compliance training |
Quoting from the firm’s Seyfarth Shaw At Work Web site: January 2003 “Diversity. Harassment. Executive retention. Post-merger integration. How your business addresses these and other critical workplace issues doesn't just impact your internal environment. It can affect your productivity, your profitability and ultimately, your competitive position in the marketplace. But now, there's help. A single source for the training, technology, and consulting you need to make the workplace a better place.” WorkRight Training LLC: Flexible, customized and extremely effective, WorkRight's attorney-led training will change attitudes, promote understanding and build the culture your business needs to succeed. WorkSharp Technologies, Inc.: Focusing on the same issues as WorkRight, WorkSharp's e-Learning approach draws on computer and Internet technology to deliver advanced, interactive, expert workplace training directly to the desk and laptops of your managers and employees - anywhere, any time.” http://www.seyfarthshawatwork.com/
|
Shaw Pittman |
Visa management extranet |
Quoting from the firm’s immigration site: June 2003 “The need for law firms that can provide top-quality service in a streamlined, cost-effective manner is thus potent in the immigration arena. Technology is essential…. What distinguishes Shaw Pittman's VisaConnect is that we designed it based on a dialogue with our anchor IT industry clients. Thus VisaConnect includes the best practices of the organizations who are our clients and business partners. We then incorporated the critical needs areas for immigration case management -- tracking multiple deadlines for thousands of cases, including multiple cases per worker (e.g., nonimmigrant visa, immigrant/residency green card, temporary work permit application), providing key informational tools to assist the client's HR and in-house legal team to respond to routine employee inquiries, and facilitating a completely streamlined data collection for time-sensitive case work. “[The] extranet includes several key features: --> The data collection function is performed over the Internet,
fully automated to enhance accuracy and minimize costs. --> Case tracking is automated with a built-in tickler system
(e.g., 7-month/3-month/1-month e-mail ticklers prior to renewal of
nonimmigrant visas). --> Employees can view their individual case tracking profiles to
monitor the status of their filings. --> Legal/HR can view a snapshot of all cases or a detailed
tracking profile for any individual visa candidate. --> Ability to run reports on any of the information collected or tracked, such as cases filed within a particular time period.” http://www.shawpittman.com/business_immigration.nsf/techcontent?openframeset |
Simmons & Simmons |
Legal resources, updates, checklists, practical guides, current awareness for a range of businesses |
Quoting from the firm’s elexica Web site: January 2003 “elexica is the award-winning online legal resource from leading international law firm Simmons & Simmons primarily aimed at clients and contacts of the firm. elexica offers registered users an extensive range of legal information including practical guides, checklists, weekly EU Diary, training modules (with CPD hours), current awareness e-mail alerting service and an extensive library of categorised web links…. ·
elexica insider is elexica's e-mail current awareness
service. elexica insider keeps you apprised of the latest important legal
developments in areas of interest to you. ·
elexica provides an extensive database know-how including practice
notes, checklists, case summaries and legal updates, with expert comment and
analysis from Simmons & Simmons. ·
elexica’s EU Diary provides weekly notice of proceedings in the four
main EU institutions – the European Commission, Council of Ministers,
European Parliament and Courts of Justice. ·
elexica's checklists and weekly EU Diary are also available to
download onto Palm™ - compatible handheld computers. ·
elexica’s Virtual Library contains hundreds of categorised links to
the most useful web sites on the Internet and provides you with a brief
description of each to help you find the web sites you need as quickly as
possible.” http://www.elexica.com/about/home.htm |
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP
|
Automated commercial real estate lending |
Quoting a press release: January 2003 “January 8, 2001-e-Cognita Technologies, Inc. announced today that Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP, a leading national law firm in commercial mortgage lending and securitization … will be the inaugural user of Version 2.5 of e-Cognita's Streamloaner™ commercial real estate process management software. …Streamloaner™ automates commercial real estate lending for all parties involved in a transaction. The browser-based software, currently in use by lenders and lawyers, works within and between businesses to automate and streamline the entire loan and service delivery process, from underwriting through closing, to portfolio or sale. Law firms using Streamloaner™ benefit from its unique ability to automatically generate "first time final" legal documents for a commercial real estate transaction, freeing attorneys to focus on substantive legal issues rather than document generation and editing..” http://www.e-cognita.com/pages/news/stroock.htm
|
Weil Gotshal eAdvisor |
Advice |
Quoting from an article by Stephan Kahn on the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “The stimulus for developing this site came from outside: it was the need General Electric Company, a major WGM client, had to give its large, geographically dispersed law department an extensive body of material relating to Internet and e-commerce legal issues... At GE's suggestion, we agreed that it would pay a fixed price and WGM would own the site and be able to market a non-proprietary version to other clients who were not competitors of GE... Through this arrangement, the client got what it wanted for a relatively low, preset price and we got even more incentive than we already had to continue improving and enhancing the site to the benefit of all users, including, of course, the founding client.” Article (June 2000) by partner Steve Kahn on the firm’s Web site.
|
Wilson Sonsini Document Access & Subscription System |
Document Creation |
Quoting a Wall Street Journal Article: Not Applicable “When venture capitalists raise new funds to invest, they generally need reams of paper in the form of offering memorandums and partnership agreements… [Wilson Sonsini] is trying to alleviate that paper jam with a new service that puts many such documents online in one place… The Document Access & Subscription System was developed in-house at Wilson Sonsini and will be a service for the firm's existing clients and a way to lure new clients.” Wall
Street Journal,
|
Below is a list of organizations other than law firms or law departments that offer products or services that overlap with legal issues. I have compiled this list from multiple sources but it is neither comprehensive nor complete.
|
Organization |
Type of Service |
Description of Service Date source and URL last checked
|
CyberReg |
Compliance intelligence (international) |
Company Web Site January 2003 “CybeReg is an
internet-based database of environmental regulations in countries outside the
|
DiCarta |
Contract management |
Company Web Site January 2003 “diCarta Contracts 3.1 provides visibility and control across the entire contract lifecycle. Companies eliminate contract risk and realize cost savings by creating better contracts, actively ensuring that companies meet all contractual obligations, and managing performance against contract terms.”
|
Eduneering |
Online compliance training |
Company Web Site January 2003 “Combining the power of advanced technology with the science of learning, EduNeering creates online compliance learning solutions that let you keep pace with the changing needs of the modern workplace. EduNeering was founded on a straightforward belief that the most important factor in reducing the risk of regulatory non-compliance and related financial liability is a well-educated, informed workforce…. EduNeering's unique combination of authoritative content, leading-edge learning management systems (LMS), and proprietary instructional design concentrate on the specific needs of regulated industries. Among those industries, the federal agencies that regulate them, and the specific regulations confronting them:
http://www.eduneering.com/solutions_overview.asp
|
HIPPADocs |
Online compliance for HIPAA |
Company Web Site January 2003 “We bring you tools that make the complex regulations simple, train your staff, document your efforts and keep your records. We don’t expect any knowledge of HIPAA, merely knowledge of your own organization and an interest in doing the best for your organization and your patients.” http://www.hipaadocs.com/action/display/about_us |
Imany |
Contract management |
Company Web Site January 2003 “ECM [Enterprise Contract Management] solutions increase revenues by ensuring receipt of proper payments according to all contract pricing variables. This prevents the loss of renewal revenue from overlooked contract expiration dates and shortens the “quote-to-cash” cycle…. The capability to enforce standard or pre-approved language across all contracts in all enterprise areas is a key element of ECM. Effective enterprise contract management reduces your exposure to surprise liabilities, missed opportunities, revenue leakage and increased regulatory scrutiny… Contract compliance monitors and tracks all transactions with all trading partners and ensures compliance with terms and conditions defined by contracts. Accuracy in contractual execution avoids disputes, reduces costs associated with dispute resolution and encourages long-term satisfaction with trading partners… ECM turns your contracts into diagnostic tools for ensuring the ongoing profitability of successful agreements and the correction or elimination of sub-optimal contracts and trading partner relationships.” http://www.imany.com/solutions/contractsphere/default.asp
|
Integrity Interactive |
Online compliance training |
Company Web Site January 2003 “What percentage of your employees has completed the business ethics and compliance training they need ... 80%...50%...10%? Do you have the records to prove it? To make ethics and compliance training work, you need a managed process to: · Deliver the right training to the right people · Make sure they complete the training · Be able to prove what you did Our exclusive seven-step process is designed to meet these goals while minimizing cost and administrative burden. It will also integrate with your existing technology systems while leveraging our special expertise in ethics and compliance risk management.” http://www.integrity-interactive.com/compliance/mkt_services.htm
|
Legal Research Center |
Online compliance training |
Company Web Site January 2003 “LRC offers a fully integrated online compliance training process. Conceived by international compliance expert, Joseph Murphy, it includes risk-assessment, individualized training, integrated testing, e-mail driven administration and secure reporting. In partnership with Integrity Interactive Corporation, LRC currently offers 140 compliance topics, organized into the following 23 course units…” http://www.lrci.com/products_services/corp_comp/training/index_tr.html
|
LexRadar |
Compliance intelligence (international) |
Company Web Site January 2003 “Aptly trademarked,
our corporate identity describes a unique service that provides accurate, up
to the minute intelligence on ever-changing regulations - country-by-country
- that will impact the success of all firms involved in international trade.
Just like early warning radar systems provide information on approaching
vessels, aircraft and storms, LexRadar provides timely warnings and analysis
of new and modified regulations in key emerging markets . . . and it provides
that analysis in fully-translated text prepared by qualified experts…
Currently, LexRadar offers Energy; Environment, Health and Safety; Security;
and Tax sectoral coverage in The content, criteria and design were developed in order to achieve four objectives:
|
LRN |
Online compliance training, wide range of topics |
Company Web Site January 2003 “The range of legal risks most companies face is daunting: salespeople talking with competitors, trade secrets needing protection, and millions of hastily written e-mails flying around and potentially ending up as evidence. To manage this risk and transform the way in which these issues are managed, we developed the LRN®, Legal Compliance and Ethics Center (LCEC)TM , the Web-based solution for creating a workforce able to identify and avoid legal risks. LCEC is about much more than compliance training. It is an integrated platform for sharing knowledge, encouraging communication between employees and those who manage risks, and for tracking the success of your company's training efforts.” http://www.lrn.com/solutions/lcec/index.html
|
Netcompliance [defunct] |
Compliance management, safety and health |
DC-based NetCompliance Files for Chapter 7 Liquidation [June 2002] reported
on Monday that the company listed more than $2 million in debt and just
$8,271 in assets in last week's bankruptcy filing. The company, which aimed
to help small businesses deal with regulatory filings by using the Internet,
had moved to DC from Company Web Site “NetCompliance offers companies the ability to comply with federal and soon, state and local, regulations via the Internet or individual company Intranets. The company uses its eComply™ technology to capture the expertise and knowledge of traditional health and safety consultants and place that information into individual compliance and training modules.” Originally http://www.netcompliance.com/; now archived at http://web.archive.org/web/20010331054554/http://www.netcompliance.com/
|
PortfolioIP
|
Track and manage IP |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: April 2003 “The PortfolioIP(SM) service provides docketing and other paralegal services for corporations and intellectual property law firms… The company was founded in 2000 by a group of patent attorneys specializing in patent preparation and prosecution services for high technology... Through the web-based FoundationIP™ platform, we become your virtual in-house staff, and can provide the support you need when you need it, conveniently, efficiently, and with dramatic savings to you and your clients.” http://www.portfolioip.com/about.htm Services provided include docketing and processing, patent and trademark prosecution, training, and country law expertise. |
Virtual Compliance |
Compliance management, safety and health |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “Virtual Compliance develops innovative digital compliance solutions for all kinds of compliance challenges. Our patent-pending expert systems integrate information and compliance management tools with the services, supplies and training needed to make compliance easier than ever before! Easy to use online regulations… Online MSDS management for employers and suppliers … MSDS Inbound … MSDS Outbound … HazMat Digital Expert”
|
VisaNow.com
|
Automates visa application process |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: April 2003 “VisaNow.comsm recognizes that most of
immigration application preparation is document-intensive and involves the
exchange of information between client, attorney, and applicant. Our online,
automated system streamlines these processes for users and significantly reduces
the time it takes to prepare http://www.visanow.com/IMMIGRATION_SERVICES/default.asp See also an article by Julius Melnitzer, Startup Revolutionizes Immigration Applications, Corporate Legal Times, April 2003, page 28 |
We Comply |
Online compliance training, wide range of topics |
Quoting from the firm’s Web site: January 2003 “Let WeComply help you jump-start your company's compliance-training efforts quickly and cost-effectively with —
|