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FindLaw Adds the West Legal Directory to Microsoft Office 2003 Editions
Searchable directory of lawyers and law firms is accessible from the Research Task Pane
EAGAN, Minn., Apr. 8 -- FindLaw®, the leading provider of client development services for the legal profession and a Thomson business (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), today announced a new way to help the millions of individuals and business professionals who will face a legal issue this year find, evaluate and hire a qualified attorney in their area.
By building on top of support for Web Services in the Microsoft® Office 2003 Editions, FindLaw has enabled the West Legal Directory®, the most comprehensive directory of lawyers and law firms, to be incorporated into Microsoft's new Research task pane. This feature allows customers to search for information and incorporate it into their work directly from applications such as Microsoft Office Excel 2003, Microsoft Office Outlook 2003, Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003, Microsoft Office Publisher 2003, and Microsoft Office Word 2003. As a result, Office 2003 users can have immediate, desktop access to contact information for more than one million attorneys and law firms listed in the West Legal Directory, easily searchable by practice area and by jurisdiction.
The innovative new service is another way FindLaw, the leading provider of client development services to the legal profession, is leveraging the convergence of content and search functions across the Internet, and through software applications, to build the world's most expansive network for lawyers and law firms to reach out to potential new customers. The West Legal Directory, which already is integrated into hundreds of popular local and national news and information Web sites, also powers the Lawyer Directory at FindLaw.com. With more than 4.1 million unique users every month, FindLaw.com is the Internet's most popular legal information Web site for individuals, business professionals and legal professionals seeking information about legal issues and to connect with an attorney.
"The Internet is quickly gaining influence as the preferred channel by which individuals learn about complex issues that affect their lives, and connect with professional services," said Debbie Monroe, president and CEO of FindLaw. "Adding the West Legal Directory to available research services in the Microsoft Office 2003 Editions is a powerful value-add to the hundreds of thousands of lawyers and law firms who are successfully using FindLaw's innovative, integrated services to grow their practices."
Microsoft Office 2003 users can install the West Legal Directory quickly and easily by following the simple instructions at http://findlaw.com/services/msoffice/.
About FindLaw
FindLaw is the leading provider of client development services to the legal profession. A business within The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), the company offers innovative, integrated solutions that enable lawyers and law firms to connect and network with potential customers. FindLaw's services include Glasser LegalWorks newsletters and seminars, venues where legal professionals can learn from the foremost experts on the latest issues in the business and practice of law; FirmSite Web site design, content and hosting services; and West Legal Directory listings and profiles. In addition, FindLaw's Internet portal, www.findlaw.com, is the Internet's most popular destination for individuals, business professionals and legal professionals seeking information about legal issues and to connect with legal counsel, and provides a powerful channel for lawyers and law firms to market their expertise and services.
About The Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2003 revenues of $7.6 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 39,000 employees and provides services in approximately 130 countries. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC).