This month I had the pleasure of examining a web-site called www.ESQChat.com, a private legal community committed to providing an online meeting place for attorneys to ask questions, learn more about the law, and make new acquaintances. Their mission is to help maximize a lawyer’s career potential and become more successful by networking with other attorneys across the nation and in town.

The Virtual Firm is ESQChat's networking tool that helps attorneys connect with one another. Attorneys can upload their picture and create a profile page. Attorneys can search for other attorneys that share interests and visions and add them as Co-Counsels to their own network. They can locate colleagues and old law school buddies, or establish new relationships. They can create blogs, form clubs, and announce events or share information/ideas. Some ask about available career or job opportunities and discuss opportunities for case referrals or get colleagues' feedback.

There is also a LEGAL FORUM, where there are over fifty topic areas to choose from, covering all disciplines within the legal profession. Ask a question, give an answer or just read others’ questions and answers to learn a lot.

There are sections for news and chat and a blogging platform to allow lawyers a chance to demonstrate their expertise in their practice area to reach an audience of interested readers.

There finally is a home for lawyers to associate with each other in a private, secure setting to enhance their relationships or to make new ones.

This is a great example of a networking hybrid of online networking and a profession that is imbued with ethical constraints concerning their right to connect with each other and their client base.

Contact Scott:   Email: Scott Visit TNNW Blog