Method and system for automated messaging in an online legal workflow tool

Abstract

A computer system and computer-implemented method for message or “chaser” management in a distributed legal workflow environment is provided. Embodiments provide central administration of legal workflow conducted by a plurality of distributed participants. A plurality of workflow chasers associated with a plurality of workflow records are created and defined based on a plurality of attributes (e.g. associated record identification, action identification, target user, display date, etc.). New and existing chasers are compared to one another to identify any redundancies (e.g. duplicate chasers, unnecessary chasers, etc.). Redundant chasers are deleted or otherwise de-activated. Remaining chasers are implemented within the distributed legal workflow environment, as appropriate (i.e. displayed to their target user on the associated target display date. Chasers may be created automatically as required for conformance to workflow policies, procedures or applicable laws. Chasers may also be user-defined and modified.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A computer system for chaser management in a distributed legal workflow environment, the computer system providing central administration of legal workflow conducted by a plurality of distributed participants and comprising a computer network including one or more computers operably programmed and configured to: 
 (i) generate a plurality of workflow chasers associated with a plurality of workflow records, each chaser including at least a record, action, target user and display date attribute;    (ii) compare attributes of the plurality of workflow chasers to identify at least one redundant chaser;    (iii) remove the at least one redundant chaser; and    (iv) implement the remaining chasers in the distributed legal workflow environment.    
     
     
         2 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the removal of the at least one redundant chaser includes the removal of a duplicate chaser.  
     
     
         3 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the removal of the at least one redundant chaser includes merging one or more attributes of two or more chasers.  
     
     
         4 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the removal of the at least one redundant chaser includes the removal of one or more unnecessary new chasers.  
     
     
         5 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein new chasers are compared.  
     
     
         6 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein existing chasers are compared.  
     
     
         7 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein new chasers are compared to existing chasers.  
     
     
         8 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the chaser is implemented by displaying the chaser to the target user on the display date.  
     
     
         9 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the chasers additionally include an escalation date and an escalation manager attribute.  
     
     
         10 . The computer system of  claim 9  wherein the escalation date is calculated automatically.  
     
     
         11 . The computer system of  claim 9  wherein the chaser is implemented by displaying the chaser to the escalation manager on the escalation date.  
     
     
         12 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more computers are additionally programmed and configured to receive input modifying one or more chaser attributes.  
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 11  wherein a plurality of chasers are modified during a single modification transaction.  
     
     
         14 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more computers are programmed and configured to create one or more chasers automatically based on one or more encoded laws or business rules.  
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more computers are programmed and configured to receive input creating one or more custom user-defined chasers.  
     
     
         16 . A computer-implemented method for chaser management in a distributed legal workflow environment providing central administration of legal workflow conducted by a plurality of distributed participants, the method comprising: 
 (i) generating a plurality of workflow chasers associated with a plurality of workflow records, each chaser including at least a record, action, target user and display date attribute;    (ii) comparing attributes of the plurality of workflow chasers to identify at least one redundant chaser;    (iii) removing the at least one redundant chaser; and    (iv) implementing the remaining chasers in the distributed legal workflow environment.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of removing the at least one redundant chaser includes removing a duplicate chaser.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of removing the at least one redundant chaser includes merging one or more attributes of two or more chasers.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of removing the at least one redundant chaser includes removing one or more unnecessary new chasers.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein new chasers are compared.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein existing chasers are compared.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16  wherein new chasers are compared to existing chasers.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the chaser is implemented by displaying the chaser to the target user on the display date.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16  wherein one or more of the chasers additionally include an escalation date and an escalation manager attribute.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the escalation date is calculated automatically.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the chaser is implemented by displaying the chaser to the escalation manager on the escalation date.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16  additionally comprising modifying one or more chaser attributes.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein a plurality of chasers are modified during a single modification transaction.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16  additionally comprising creating one or more chasers automatically based on one or more encoded laws or business rules.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16  additionally comprising creating one or more custom user-defined chasers.