Derek Smith and Peter J. Ozolin of Paul Hastings provide a good overview and analysis of law firm Extranets in Are Client Extranets Worth the Expense? published in the National Law Journal (December 1, 2003) and at law.com.
They explain that Extranets are not necessarily a client relationship builder. Before building (or buying) an Extranet, law firms need to define what their goals are and what the economics of establishing and maintaining the Extranet will be. The article also describes three kinds of Extranets – turnkey, litigation support and management, and customized – which can meet differing needs.
This is a useful article for law firms thinking about Extranets or for law departments that are considering asking their outside counsel to establish one.