Friday, February 20, 2009

Conflict Checking Software

We’ve discussed the ethical obligation an LPO has to protect counsel and counsel’s clients from conflicts of interest, as well as the need for a comprehensive conflict checking form to capture searchable data.

Once that data is collected, a mechanism must be in place to allow sufficient cross-referencing to detect potential conflicts. Companies have essentially three types of options in terms of conflict checking programs: Stand Alone conflict checking software, Custom-Developed databases, or integrated Case Management or Time Management programs that include a conflict checking functionality.

Stand Alone conflict checking software programs can range in complexity and, accordingly, price. One caveat to consider is the potential for redundancy if a Case Management or Time Management system is already capturing this information. A couple examples of Stand Alone programs are Conflict Checker and RTG Conflicts.

Custom-developed databases can be built in products like Access. Like any system, there are pros and cons. The upside here is that the system will be completely customized to your company’s specific needs. The cons are the cost of custom programming, the cost of future upgrades, and the potential for redundancies – if you are also utilizing a Case Management or Time Management system you may already be inputting much of this information in the existing system.

The other option is to utilize your organization’s existing Case Management or Time Management system if it incorporates a conflict checking feature. In this scenario, the management system that is already in place to track projects and hours can become a one-stop hub for all information, including conflict checking.

Case Management or Time Management software can be web based or locally hosted, and a couple examples are Bill 4 Time and AbacusLaw.

The products mentioned are obviously not exhaustive or even necessarily endorsed. If you have products you’d like to add to the discussion, feel free to note them in the comments section.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good and informative post...
Regards,

SBL Legal process outsourcing

Project Management Software said...

If you have a project due, that has many people working on it, you might look for a web based project management software. You need to have something on your side that helps you get organized and gets the project in on time.

Project Management Software said...

I'm just a little confused about all the different names. The application is called OpenProj but in the title bar, it's suddenly called Projity. If you ask for on-line help, you are directed to a web page with help for Project-on-demand. Well, I guess that the company is Projity and the open source software is OpenProj.

It Solutions Los Angeles said...

Managing large projects has several serious issues that all have to be dealt with. We need to keep track of all the contracts and specifications.

Kristina said...

Any recommendations for a good nonprofit software?