LATERAL ASSOCIATES

The Portal - information central

We believe in using technology to enhance our practice. Your first stop for resources and information available at MoFo is the Portal, our firm-wide intranet. On the Portal you can find our attorney handbook, copies of our policies and procedures, benefits information and related forms, our on-line training library and marketing materials. Each practice group also has its own intranet page where it posts news and information related to its practice, research resources and other practice tools. You also can customize your Portal home page to show you the information you want to see - stock quotes, news, client alerts or even your favorite cartoons.

The needle in a haystack

As one of the largest law firms in the world, we have produced and gathered millions of documents and (almost) uncountable bytes of data, each relevant to the complex work that we do. And yet when a client approaches us with a problem to be solved, it is important that we find the key to solving that problem quickly. AnswerBase, our award-winning intelligent search system designed by our Knowledge Management Group, offers our attorneys a one-stop source for finding, understanding, and using the vast array of information needed to serve our clients. AnswerBase includes documents, information about our people and their expertise, and client and matter details, all seamlessly connected. Urgently need a memo on stock option backdating? Input simple keywords, refine your search by over a dozen categories such as industry and type of law, and in less time than it takes to file an indictment, the right document - that needle in a haystack - will be at your fingertips. Have additional questions? Contact the memo's author in seconds by clicking through to contact information. Does your client need advice on how to match an orange suit? Well, we can't help you there. But may we recommend a litigation expert?

Sharing the wealth

We have culled the knowledge and expertise of attorneys throughout the firm and transformed the fruits of their labor into the MoFo Knowledge Exchange, an online repository of useful documents and legal information. Part of providing legendary client service is being able to provide service in a timely and efficient manner. KE includes master forms, exemplars, precedents, research memoranda and related information provided by each practice area. We don't expect our associates to spend hours looking for forms, precedents or sample documents. We know you have more important things to think about - like how to design a new equity derivative product for your client that allows the client to capture important tax advantages.

It's just a really big pond

With over 1,000 lawyers and 15 offices in North America, Europe and Asia, we are among the world's largest law firms. We use technology to connect our global network of offices, which enables us to serve our clients without being restricted by geographical boundaries. We have simple seven digit dialing to domestic and international offices and video conferencing that allows you to conduct video conferences between two or more offices as well as with clients. We also use MicroSoft LiveMeeting software to host real-time, interactive meetings and presentations.

Where in the world is my MoFo attorney?

We provide many different solutions for accessing our network resources while you are away from the office. If you have a firm laptop, you can dial into the firm's network using regular phone lines from almost anywhere in the world. You also can access our network from any web browser that has internet access--your home computer, hotels, cyber cafes, airport kiosks, client offices. No matter where you are in the world, you can reach us and (more importantly) we and our clients can reach you.

No escape from email

We are BlackBerry users (or abusers depending on where you fall in the BlackBerry etiquette divide) and all attorneys receive a BlackBerry, free of charge. While we encourage attorneys to check their email regularly when away from the office, we suggest that during weddings, funerals and first dates, you refrain from emailing.

Help is just a phone call away

Our technology support center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The center supports attorneys whether they are working in the office, from home or trying to access email from a mountaintop in Slovenia (yes, the MoFo system works there). As part of its mission statement, the technology support center team is committed to providing the highest quality technology support and the highest quality customer service.

Learning on-line

We recognize that the learning process does not stop once you graduate from law school. We maintain an extensive library of on-line training programs that you can watch at your convenience from your desktop. For experienced attorneys, most of our on-line training programs can be used to satisfy continuing legal education requirements.

Retail therapy

Many of our attorneys find it useful to be able to work from home late into the night or early in the morning. If you're looking to purchase a home computer, you can take advantage of our employee purchase program, which offers special deals on personal computers, printers, and other accessories. You can also purchase software and hardware at reduced prices and install office applications on your home computer for free.