Forrester Groundswell Awards 2008 Entry - Martindale-Hubbell® Connected

Online Networking for Attorneys

Networking has always been an important activity in the legal profession. It's how corporate counsel get recommendations on which attorneys or firms to consider when seeking to hire outside counsel. It's how attorneys find prospective employers and vice versa. It's also an informal channel for attorneys to bounce ideas off of other counsel, share perspectives on legal issues, air differences and more.

Traditionally, these activities have been conducted in-person at events or trade shows, on the phone or through attending professional organizations.

However, today, attorneys report they no longer have the time or budget to conduct effective networking. Further, while many belong to online social networks, they report that these forums fall well short of meeting their business needs.

This situation calls out for an online community built specifically and only for counsel that enables them to more efficiently and confidently connect, network and communicate to solve business issues.

Martindale-Hubbell Connected

Martindale-Hubbell has created just such a network for attorneys that supports their need for a trusted forum to re-ignite their networking activities for better business results.

Called Martindale-Hubbell Connected, this new network is much more than social networking for lawyers. Rather, it's a custom-built online community just for attorneys that leverages the most complete database of counsel globally and adds market-leading network features for lawyers such as:

Detailed, searchable profiles
Suggested links from the Martindale-Hubbell and LexisNexis CourtLink database
The ability to search the vast Martindale-Hubbell database and directly invite attorneys to connect
Personal referrals with every search, alerts about attorneys or firms you care about
Communities and groups
Discussion forums and survey tools
Community publishing and wikis
Preferred provider lists and RFP-builder tools
Much more

Further, membership is restricted to verified legal counsel so users can be assured they are connecting with trusted contacts, communicating in a secure environment and avoiding unwanted approaches by those outside the legal profession.

Currently in beta phase, the Martindale-Hubbell Connected page is here. However, because the site is in beta, entry and use is predicated on review and approval by Martindale-Hubbell until full launch in Q1 2009.

Martindale-Hubbell Connected in Pictures

How it Works

Martindale-Hubbell Connected is currently in beta phase. However, once fully launched in Q1 2009:

Corporate counsel attorneys can access and use all features of Martindale-Hubbell free of charge, just as they do with other services on martindale.com®. All that's required is setting up a free membership at the site.
Law firm and solo practice attorneys can also use Martindale-Hubbell Connected, and their use is part of their overall benefit as a paid member of martindale.com. Access to different elements of the network are contingent on which martindale.com membership the firm or attorney has.
Once logged in, users create a profile page and the Martindale-Hubbell database seeks current and possible connections.

Delivering Business Results

Use of Martindale-Hubbell Connected provides more robust information about peers and perspectives for better decision making when it come to hiring counsel or addressing an issue.
It breaks the isolation felt by many corporate counsel attorneys when seeking a trusted recommendation or opinion from other counsel.
It helps users demonstrate thought leadership to potential employers or clients.
It helps users grow their network of potential clients or vendors.
It saves attorneys time and money on networking by reducing travel.

Part of a Transformation of Martindale-Hubbell

Martindale-Hubbell Connected is a concrete example of the overall transformation of Martindale-Hubbell as it changes dramatically from an online directory to the online community destination for corporate counsel and private practice lawyers. This transformation has been undertaken to ensure that the organization remains highly strategic and indispensable resource for buyers of legal services.

Over the last year, Martindale-Hubbell has introduced new features, tools, and functionalities that capitalize on its traditional value and incorporate Web 2.0 technologies to meet the needs of today's corporate counsel and other buyers of legal services.

Beyond Martindale-Hubbell Connected, examples include:

Video profiles for attorneys and firms - examples here.
An agreement with LinkedIn to help attorneys leverage their connections in the broad and open network
Martindale-Hubbell Blog for conversations and listening with clients
Side-by-Side Comparisons
My Watch List
Law Digest online
Visibility rankings