denotes premium content | Jul 9 2008 
News
posted 1 May 2008
IntApp Inc., a leading provider of confidentiality management software for law firms, has announced that the Risk Roundtable program has been expanded to include participation from corporate law departments. Originally founded by IntApp in 2007 to serve law firm stakeholders, the Risk Roundtable program provides a forum for legal professionals to develop and share best practices and industry standards for managing risks driven by legal, ethical, client and regulatory requirements. The addition of law department participants broadens this dialogue to include both the providers and consumers of legal services.
At the most recent Roundtable event, law department leaders focused on an important priority -- law firm confidentiality management. As legal departments increasingly collaborate with outside counsel, concerns are growing about the steps firms are taking to control and track internal access to sensitive client information including trade secrets, intellectual property, business plans and other highly confidential matters.
"Increasingly, companies are facing greater demands in terms of confidentiality controls and audit standards. In turn, these companies expect their key business partners, including law firms, to follow -- a model of 'trust but verify,'" said Michael Guernon, Director, New Business Intake at Orrick, Sutcliffe and Herrington LLP, “Law departments will expect law firms to continue to design their systems and processes to protect client confidences. Law firms that continue to adapt and refine their solutions will ensure that they protect client confidences while remaining aligned with their clients' needs and expectations.”
The keynote speaker at the inaugural Law Department Risk Roundtable event held in
“We’re pleased to expand the Risk Roundtable program to provide a forum for law department leaders to collaborate on these important issues,” said IntApp CEO John Hall. “Clients are creating new industry standards, working together to establish and communicate confidentiality policies and requirements to outside counsel.”
“Law firm confidentiality practices are often out of sync with client assumptions, creating unforeseen business, financial and legal risks for clients and firms alike,” said Nancy Beauchemin, President of InOutsource. “Law departments are in a position to establish higher expectations to ensure that firms have the right policies and technology in place to protect their interests.”
“Law firm confidentiality management is extremely important to our corporate clients, and we are actively working with them to define a clear set of best practices and industry standards,” said Rich Seleznov, Managing Director, Huron Consulting Group. “As part of our efforts, Huron is helping law departments gain greater insight into compliance practices at their outside counsel firms and updating corporate outside counsel guidelines to establish clear expectations for confidentiality enforcement and tracking.”
About the Risk Roundtable Program
Founded by IntApp, Inc. in 2007, the Risk Roundtable program provides a forum for law firm and law department leaders to develop and share best practices and industry standards for managing risks driven by legal, ethical, client and regulatory requirements. The law firm Roundtable track brings together a mix of firm risk management and related professionals including loss prevention partners, general counsel, risk management partners, conflicts managers and IT leadership. The law department track fosters dialogue among corporate legal management and general counsel audiences. At regular regional events, Risk Roundtable participants discuss client requirements, evolving legal duties and industry trends. For more information, visit: www.RiskRoundtable.com
