Litigation management system and method

• US 7,197,716 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Merchant & Gould PC
• Original Assignee: Merchant & Gould PC
• Inventors: Glance, Robert Joseph, Newell, Kimberly Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Sy D.
• Application Number:
  US10/028,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: 715/760, 715/733, 715/741, 715743-747, 715/810, 715853-855, 715/705, 715712-713, 715/961, 715/962, 715/700, 715/501.1, 715/513, 705/1, 705/8
• US Class Current: 715/760
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing

Abstract

A computer-based user interface for accessing litigation information associated with at least one litigation case includes a home page. The home page includes a first plurality of user-selectable hyperlinks. Each hyperlink in the first plurality of hyperlinks identifies a category of litigation information. The interface also includes a plurality of web pages. Each web page is associated with one of the hyperlinks in the first plurality of hyperlinks. Each web page provides litigation information related to the category identified by the hyperlink associated with the web page. Each web page is displayed in response to selection of the hyperlink associated with the web page.

Claims

1. A computer-based user interface for accessing litigation information associated with at least one litigation case, the user interface comprising:

a home page including a first plurality of user-selectable hyperlinks, each hyperlink in the first plurality of hyperlinks identifying a category of litigation information, the hyperlinks thereby identifying categories of litigation information, and

a plurality of web pages, each web page associated with one of the hyperlinks in the first plurality of web pages, each web page providing litigation information related to the category identified by the hyperlink associated with the web page, each web page displayed in response to selection of the hyperlink associated with the web page,

wherein at least one web page associated with one of the plurality of hyperlinks in the first plurality of hyperlinks includes a hyperlink to an electronic copy of a document related to the category identified by the hyperlink associated with the at least one web page, and

wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is pleadings information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for pleadings information includes a plurality of pleadings entries, each pleadings entry including a description of a pleading.

2. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is contact information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for contact information includes contact information for opposing counsel, the court handling the litigation case, and clients.

3. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is docket information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for docket information includes a plurality of docket entries, each docket entry including a description of a litigation action and a due date for the action.

4. The computer-based user interface of claim 3, wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for docket information includes hyperlinks to electronic copies of litigation documents associated with docket entries.

5. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is correspondence information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for correspondence information includes a plurality of correspondence entries, each correspondence entry including a description of a correspondence and a date of the correspondence.

6. The computer-based user interface of claim 5, wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for correspondence information includes hyperlinks to electronic copies of correspondence.

7. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein each pleadings entry further includes a pleadings number, a date, and a source identifier identifying a source of the described pleading.

8. The computer-based user interface of claim 7, wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for pleadings information includes hyperlinks to electronic copies of pleadings documents.

9. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is rules information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for rules information includes a plurality of hyperlinks to legal information sources relevant to the litigation case.

10. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is patent information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for patent information includes information regarding at least one patent involved in the litigation case.

11. The computer-based user interface of claim 10, wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for patent information includes a hyperlink to an electronic copy of the at least one patent.

12. The computer-based user interface of claim 10, wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for patent information includes a hyperlink to an electronic copy of a file history of the at least one patent.

13. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is discovery information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for discovery information includes a plurality of discovery entries, each discovery entry including a description of a discovery document.

14. The computer-based user interface of claim 13, wherein the discovery entries further include a date of service and a due date.

15. The computer-based user interface of claim 13, wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for discovery information includes hyperlinks to electronic copies of discovery documents.

16. The computer-based user interface of claim 13, wherein the discovery entries are grouped into subcategories including plaintiff'"'"'s discovery, defendant'"'"'s discovery, and depositions.

17. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is expert information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for expert information includes information regarding experts used in the litigation case.

18. The computer-based user interface of claim 17, wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for expert information includes a plurality of hyperlinks to electronic copies of documents related to experts.

19. The computer-based user interface of claim 18, wherein the plurality of hyperlinks to electronic copies of documents related to experts includes hyperlinks to electronic copies of expert reports and expert depositions.

20. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is court orders, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for court orders includes a plurality of court order entries, each court order entry including a description of a court order.

21. The computer-based user interface of claim 20, wherein the court order entries further include pleadings numbers and dates associated with the court orders.

22. The computer-based user interface of claim 21, wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for court orders includes hyperlinks to electronic copies of court orders.

23. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is trial information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for trial information includes a plurality of hyperlinks to electronic copies of documents to be submitted to a court for trial.

24. The computer-based user interface of claim 23, wherein the plurality of hyperlinks to electronic copies of documents to be submitted to a court for trial include hyperlinks to electronic copies of trial briefs, motions in limine, jury instructions, witness lists, and exhibit lists.

25. The computer-based user interface of claim 24, wherein the plurality of hyperlinks to electronic copies of documents to be submitted to a court for trial include hyperlinks to electronic copies of designations of deposition testimony and offers of settlement.

26. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is motions, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for motions includes a plurality of descriptions of motions and a plurality of hyperlinks to electronic copies of described motions.

27. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is copy information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for copy information allows a user to specify a list of individuals that are provided a copy of a specified litigation document.

28. The computer-based user interface of claim 27, wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for copy information allows a user to specify a manner in which the specified litigation document is provided to each of the individuals in the specified list.

29. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein one of the categories identified by the hyperlinks is client information, and wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for client information provides access to case budget information and conflict information.

30. The computer-based user interface of claim 29, wherein the web page associated with the hyperlink for client information includes a plurality of hyperlinks to client information.

31. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, and further comprising a search feature that allows a user to specify a search for litigation information related to the litigation case.

32. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein the home page includes a status information identifier that identifies at least one litigation task that is due by a specified date.

33. The computer-based user interface of claim 32, wherein the status information identifier is included on each of the plurality of web pages.

34. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of web pages includes the first plurality of user-selectable hyperlinks.

35. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of web pages includes hyperlinks to electronic copies of litigation documents.

36. The computer-based user interface of claim 35, wherein the electronic copies of litigation documents include electronic copies of correspondence and pleadings.

37. The computer-based user interface of claim 35, wherein the electronic copies of litigation documents are stored on a plurality of computers.

38. The computer-based user interface of claim 37, wherein the plurality of computers include at least one local computer and at least one remote computer that is located offsite from the at least one local computer.

39. The computer-based user interface of claim 38, wherein the at least one remote computer includes a first remote computer located offsite from the at least one local computer in a first location, and a second remote computer located offsite from the at least one local computer in a second location.

40. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein the categories of litigation information identified by the first plurality of hyperlinks include at least one subcategory that is logically related to one of the other categories.

41. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein the computer-based user interface is storable on a portable computer-readable medium.

42. The computer-based user interface of claim 41, wherein the computer-based user interface further comprises electronic copies of litigation documents referenced by the plurality of web pages.

43. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein the computer-based user interface is stored on a CD-ROM.

44. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein the computer-based user interface is stored on a corporate intranet.

45. The computer-based user interface of claim 1, wherein the home page includes a user-selectable hyperlink for executing an application program.

46. The computer-based user interface of claim 45, wherein the application program is a document management system.

47. The computer-based user interface of claim 46, wherein the document management system is Summation Blaze.

48. A litigation management system for managing and providing access to litigation information stored on a computer network, the system comprising:

a server computer coupled to the computer network for storing user interface information, the user interface information including a primary page having a plurality of links to a plurality of secondary pages, the primary page identifying a plurality of categories and subcategories of litigation information, each subcategory logically related to at least one of the categories, the secondary pages providing litigation information related to the identified categories and subcategories; and

a client computer coupled to the computer network for displaying a user interface based on user interface information received from the server computer, the client computer configured to access the plurality of secondary pages via the user interface;

wherein the categories and subcategories of litigation information include at least one of pleadings information, discovery information, court orders, and motions.

49. The litigation management system of claim 48, wherein the subcategories include discovery information, court orders, and motions, and wherein the litigation information provided by the secondary pages related to the subcategories of discovery information, court orders, and motions is also provided by the secondary page related to the category of pleadings information.

50. The litigation management system of claim 48, wherein the plurality of categories and subcategories include at least a subset of the following:

Contact information, docket information, case information, correspondence information, pleadings information, legal references information, discovery information, expert information, orders information, trial information, motions, and copy information.

51. The litigation management system of claim 50, wherein one of the plurality of categories is patent information.

52. The litigation management system of claim 48, wherein the primary page includes a status information identifier that identifies at least one litigation task that is due by a specified date.

53. The litigation management system of claim 52, wherein the status information identifier is included on each of the plurality of secondary pages.

54. The litigation management system of claim 48, wherein each of the plurality of secondary pages includes at least a subset of the plurality of links.

55. The litigation management system of claim 48, wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary pages includes links to electronic copies of litigation documents.

56. The litigation management system of claim 55, wherein the electronic copies of litigation documents are stored on a plurality of computers coupled to the computer network.

57. The litigation management system of claim 48, wherein the primary page includes a user-selectable hyperlink for executing an application program.

58. The litigation management system of claim 57, wherein the application program is a document management system.

59. The litigation management system of claim 58, wherein the document management system is Summation Blaze.

60. A method of managing litigation information for at least one lawsuit, the method comprising:

storing litigation information for the lawsuit on a computer network;

storing user interface data on the computer network;

generating and displaying a user interface based on the stored user interface data, the user interface providing a plurality of links to the litigation information, each of the plurality of links corresponding to one category of a plurality of categories of litigation information, at least one of the categories of litigation information being a subcategory of at least one of the other categories of litigation information, wherein the categories of litigation information include at least one of pleadings information, discovery information, court orders, and motions;

receiving selection data provided by a user, the selection data identifying a first link in the plurality of links; and

displaying litigation information related to the category corresponding to the first link.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the plurality of categories of litigation information include at least a subset of the following:

Contact information, docket information, case information, correspondence information, pleadings information, legal references information, discovery information, expert information, orders information, trial information, motions, and copy information.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the displayed litigation information includes at least a subset of the plurality of links.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein the displayed litigation information includes links to electronic copies of litigation documents related to the category corresponding to the first link.

64. The method of claim 60, and further comprising storing the litigation information for the lawsuit on a plurality of computers coupled to the computer network.

65. The method of claim 60, wherein the user interface data is stored on a server computer coupled to the computer network and is accessible to client computers via communication with the server computer.

66. The method of claim 60, wherein the user interface data is stored in a memory of at least one client computer coupled to the computer network.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the user interface data is stored on a CD-ROM of the at least one client computer.

68. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of accessing litigation information for at least one lawsuit, comprising:

generating a primary display screen including a plurality of user-selectable litigation categories, the plurality of user-selectable litigation categories including at least one user-selectable litigation subcategory that is logically related to at least one of the other litigation categories;

receiving category selection information from a user identifying one of the user-selectable litigation categories; and

generating a secondary display screen including litigation information related to the identified litigation category, the secondary display screen including user-selectable links to electronic copies of litigation documents related to the identified litigation category.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 68, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving document selection information from a user identifying one of the user-selectable links to electronic copies of litigation documents; and

generating a display of an electronic copy of a litigation document corresponding to the identified link.

70. The computer-readable medium of claim 68, wherein the plurality of user-selectable litigation categories includes pleadings information, and wherein the at least one user-selectable litigation subcategory includes discovery information, and wherein the litigation information related to the discovery information subcategory is a subset of the litigation information related to the pleadings category.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 68, wherein the plurality of user-selectable litigation categories includes pleadings information, and wherein the at least one user-selectable litigation subcategory includes motions, and wherein the litigation information related to the motions subcategory is a subset of the litigation information related to the pleadings category.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 68, wherein the plurality of user-selectable litigation categories includes pleadings information, and wherein the at least one user-selectable litigation subcategory includes court orders, and wherein the litigation information related to the court orders subcategory is a subset of the litigation information related to the pleadings category.

73. A litigation management system for managing and providing access to litigation information stored on a computer network, the system comprising:

at least one server computer coupled to the computer network for storing user interface information, the user interface information comprising;

a client login page;

a plurality of litigation case selection pages, each litigation case selection page including at least one hyperlink identifying at least one litigation case associated with a particular client;

a plurality of litigation case home pages, each litigation case home page associated with one of the identified litigation cases, each litigation case home page including a first plurality of hyperlinks, each hyperlink in the first plurality identifying a category of litigation information; and

a plurality of web pages, each web page associated with one of the hyperlinks in the first plurality of hyperlinks of one of the home pages, each web page providing case specific litigation information related to the category identified by the hyperlink associated with the web page; and

a client computer coupled to the computer network for displaying a user interface based on user interface information received from the server computer, the client computer configured to access at least a subset of the plurality of web pages via the user interface.

74. The litigation management system of claim 73, wherein the user interface information further comprises:

a plurality of topics pages, each topics page associated with a particular client and including a plurality of hyperlinks identifying a plurality of topics, the plurality of hyperlinks identifying a plurality of topics including a litigation hyperlink; and

wherein each litigation case selection page is associated with a litigation hyperlink on one of the plurality of topics pages.

75. The litigation management system of claim 74, wherein the litigation hyperlink is associated with active litigation cases, and wherein the plurality of hyperlinks identifying a plurality of topics further comprises an inactive litigation hyperlink associated with inactive litigation cases.

76. The litigation management system of claim 74, wherein the plurality of hyperlinks identifying a plurality of topics further comprises a competitors hyperlink that provides a link to information about a particular client'"'"'s competitors.

77. The litigation management of claim 74, wherein the plurality of hyperlinks identifying a plurality of topics further comprises a prosecution hyperlink that provides a link to information about a particular client'"'"'s intellectual property applications.

78. A method of accessing litigation information associated with at least one litigation case, the method comprising:

displaying a home page including a first plurality of user-selectable hyperlinks, the hyperlinks in the first plurality identifying a plurality of categories and subcategories of litigation information, each subcategory logically related to at least one of the categories;

selecting a first one of the plurality of hyperlinks; and

displaying a web page associated with the first one of the hyperlinks, the web page providing litigation information related to a category identified by the first one of the hyperlinks,

wherein the litigation information related to the category identified by the first one of the hyperlinks includes a plurality of litigation information entries, each litigation information entry including a description of the litigation information and a hyperlink to an electronic copy of a litigation document associated with the litigation information entry.

79. A user interface for accessing litigation information associated with at least one litigation case, the user interface comprising:

a home page including a correspondence hyperlink and a pleadings hyperlink;

a correspondence web page associated with the correspondence hyperlink, the correspondence web page including a plurality of correspondence entries, each correspondence entry including identifying information for a correspondence related to the at least one litigation case; and

a pleadings web page associated with the pleadings hyperlink, the pleadings web page including a plurality of pleading entries, each pleading entry including identifying information for a pleading related to the at least one litigation case.

80. The user interface of claim 79, wherein the correspondence web page includes hyperlinks to electronic copies of correspondence related to the at least one litigation case.

81. The user interface of claim 79, wherein the pleadings web page includes hyperlinks to electronic copies of pleading documents.