Page 30 - CCCA61_2008

CCCA61_039-043.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_DriversSeat-FIN.qxd 02/07/2008 06:16 PM Page 40 Feature Hugh Christie Partner Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP Toronto Sharing and swapping information actually result in new or increased business down the line?” Growing up, we were all taught by our parents that “sharing” is Legal OnRamp may be particularly useful for sophisticated good; to some degree, the future of Legal OnRamp depends on in-house counsel searching for information from a number of following Mom’s advice.This will, however, require a change in different jurisdictions,who want to save time and find out which mindset among some members of the legal profession. After all, lawyers practise in a particular field, says Christie. lawyers at law firms have traditionally held their cards close to their chest;“giving away”legal knowledge has not been the norm. Critical mass Yet the appeal of LOR — with its shared platform between Membership in LOR is free and has grown to more than 1,900 companies and law firms to collaborate and innovate — may be just individuals from more than 40 countries, although most are the ticket for law firms to start opening up their expertise vaults. U.S.-based. Membership in the last three months of 2007 dou- “The challenge for Legal OnRamp is that it’s really changing bled: two-thirds of members are general counsel, with the bal- the paradigm of how the legal profession works,” says Hugh ance from law firm and law schools, a ratio Lippe says LOR Christie, partner and head of the national employment group at would like to maintain. Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, one of the first Canadian law And although it takes an invitation to come onboard — mem- firms to sign on to LOR. bers invite other members — “it’s like a big New Year’s Eve “LOR requires a leap of faith.If I make the answers to the top party,” says Lippe.“You should have an invitation, but it’s not too ten questions on a particular topic available on LOR,will this let hard to get one.” There’s a vested interest in members working me engage with prospective in-house counsel clients in a mean- to build the network. ingful way for marketing my services? If law firms make more of In some ways, the future success of social networking or any their product available to in-house counsel for free, will this information-sharing vehicle such as LOR, may be “generational.” 40 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association SPRING 2008