InfoNet Users Agreement

 

The In-house Counsel InfoNet ("InfoNet") is a service offered by Fennemore Craig, P.C. and other law firms and individuals ("Service Providers") as a benefit to select corportate law departments.

 

Summary of Conditions of Use

 

Every time you access the InfoNet and use this facility, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth below including, but not limited to the following:

 

·         Communications on the InfoNet are accessible by all authorized law department users and InfoNet Service Provider panelists and are neither confidential nor protected by the attorney-client privilege.
 

·         Panelist responses to inquiries posted on the InfoNet will consist of general information only, and will not be directed to any particular person or entity.

·         Use of the InfoNet facility does not give rise to any attorney-client relationship.

·         Communications through this facility shall not be considered to be legal or professional advice for any purpose.

·         You agree not to assert that any conflict of interest has arisen because of the use of the InfoNet service by any person or entity. 

 

Specific Terms and Conditions of Use

1. Acceptance of These Terms and Conditions

By accessing and using the InfoNet, you accept and agree to the terms and conditions of this InfoNet Users Agreement; and you and the company by whom you are employed are legally bound by them.  The general Terms of Use of the In-house Counsel InfoNet website are incorporated herein by reference.

2. Public and General Nature of InfoNet Communications

 

Communications on the InfoNet are accessible by all authorized law department users and InfoNet Service Provider panelists and are not confidential nor subject to the attorney-client privilege.  Inquiries will be posted anonymously in brief, generic and hypothetical format.  Panelist responses will consist of general information only, and will not be directed to any particular person or entity, and are not based on any particular facts (other than the content of the submission).  Accordingly, all InfoNet users, panelists and law firms supporting the InfoNet facility intend and understand that:

·         Communications Not Protected.  COMMUNICATIONS ON THE INFONET ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE. Communications made through the InfoNet are not protected under Model Rules of Professional Conduct 1.6 or 1.18 or any similar state or federal rules of professional conduct or code of professional responsibility.

·         No Attorney-Client Relationship.  Use of the InfoNet service does not give rise to any attorney-client relationship. 

·         InfoNet Participation Not the Practice of Law.  Participation in the InfoNet by Service Provider law firms or any of their lawyers is not intended to constitute the practice of law, and, accordingly, panelists may adjust or limit their responses to queries in view of this objective.

3.  No Legal Advice

No information or communications provided by any law firm panelist through the InfoNet is intended to be legal or professional advice for any purpose.  You understand that responses by Service Provider panelists will be provided without performing legal research and without knowledge of any facts other than those specified in the inquiry. If you choose to take action based on any communication with law firm panelists through the InfoNet, you agree to do so at your own and your employer’s risk.

4. No Assertion of Conflicts of Interest

In addition, you acknowledge that Service Provider law firms supporting the InfoNet and their associated lawyers may currently represent one or more parties whose interests are adverse to those of your company (potentially even in a matter related to the subject of your inquiry in using this InfoNet). Participation in the InfoNet in general or in any specific communication through the InfoNet facility will not prevent any such firm or its associated lawyers from accepting or continuing any engagement for any party at any time, even if it is adverse to the company or entity by which you are employed, even if it involves litigation, and even if it involves the subject matter of communications through the InfoNet. In any event, you and the company by which you are employed agree not to assert any conflict of interest arising out of your participation and use of this facility or participation and use by any Service Provider law firm supporting the InfoNet or its associated lawyers.

5.  Law Firms Supporting the InfoNet Are Intended Third Party Beneficiaries; Release of Liability

 

Each Service Provider law firm supporting the InfoNet (and its associated lawyers and personnel) is an intended third party beneficiary of this Agreement, entitled to enforce it against any company or individual using this InfoNet service.  By accessing and using this service, companies agree to release and hold harmless any Service Provider law firm supporting the InfoNet and its associated lawyers and personnel from any liability, loss, cost or expense, arising from such law firm’s or its lawyer's or personnel’s receipt or response to communications from you or other employees of your company through this facility, failure to respond to any such communications, or any disclosure or use by any such law firm or any third party of the content of any such communications through the InfoNet.

6.  Due Authorization

 

In accessing and using this facility, you represent that you have reviewed and accept these terms and conditions on behalf of the company or entity by which you are employed and that you are duly authorized to accept and legally bind yourself and your employer to the above terms and conditions for the use of this InfoNet service.

 

7.  Registration

 

In-house counsel must Register To Use The InfoNet Service.  Registration confirms your acceptance of this InfoNet Users Agreement.