The Law Department Challenge
Law department leaders are frequently challenged as "legal generalists.” You have to make decisions regarding matters that involve areas of the law about which you may have little or no knowledge or experience – or where the law is rapidly changing or particularly complex.
As one General Counsel put it: “If we just had access to experts in areas in which issues arise who would offer quick, ‘top-of-the-head’ information . . . nine out of ten times that’s all we would need to make the decisions we face. On the other hand, if an issue requires digging deeper, a resource like this would connect you directly with the knowledgeable lawyers who can help.”
The InfoNet Solution
The “In-house Counsel InfoNet” is a very practical solution to this everyday law department need. You simply log onto the InfoNet, select your subject area of concern, post your inquiry and, within 24 hours, outside counsel with expertise in that area will respond with pertinent information. The service is free to lawyers employed as in-house counsel.
How The InfoNet Works
Law firms, law schools and others supporting the InfoNet make their seasoned professionals available to respond to InfoNet inquiries with “top of the head” information. When fully staffed, each subject area of the InfoNet will have a panel comprised of experienced lawyers affiliated with different firms, educational institutions and/or other organizations with expertise in that subject matter.
Panelists are notified immediately by email when you submit an inquiry. The law firms and others supporting the InfoNet have agreed that panelists will respond within 24 hours. Their responses will be posted on the InfoNet for you and all other in-house counsel users to see. You have the option of setting an “alert” to be notified by email when responses are filed; but you will not receive responses directly. Alternatively, you can choose to log onto the InfoNet to review responses to your inquiry.
Replies by panelists are general “top-of-the-head” information only. They will not be based on research or investigation and will not address the law in any particular jurisdiction (unless specifically stated in the response). While panelists will provide general information pertinent to your inquiry, they will not seek to apply the law directly to your situation. Panelists will not provide legal advice.
You and other in-house counsel InfoNet users may post inquiries or add comments to discussions in any subject area. Accordingly, another in-house lawyer may reply to an inquiry you post or offer a comment about a panelist’s response; and, vice versa, you have the option of contributing to any InfoNet discussion initiated by another in-house counsel. All inquiries, responses and comments are retained in the InfoNet database and posted in their respective subject areas for the benefit of all InfoNet users.
Click Here to view the InfoNet subject areas and guidelines for using this unique and valuable service.