[Updated] I posted ealier today about the Council on Litigation Management Conference. They are apparently partnering with Martindale Hubbell, which has put its "Connected" professional networking site into public beta. Connected can be found here.

Obviously, Connected is intended to be the lawyer's version of LinkedIn. Without question, since there are competing social networking sites, we should expect other law-related vendors to get into the professional networking action (West? Lexis-Mealey's). Although it is hard to imagine a Facebook vs. Myspace distinction for professional networking sites.

The site doesn't like Google Chrome, at least during the sign in process. I was able to create my profile using Chrome. So you may want to use Internet Explorer, at least in the initial steps. It's hard to get lawyers to be truly high tech, isn't it?

Connected did serve one function -- Martindale had not updated their records since I moved my practice nearly a year ago and, while they had all of the right contact information, the firm name was missing. So the registration process updated the missing details.

Connected is still in beta. It allows you to create a profile and then has blogs and community groups. The profile section needs to allow more expression. I don't think we need a Facebook wall, but there should be more customization available, a la LinkedIn. Unless, of course, I missed it. Since it is a lawyer site, perhaps an area where you can list your trials, appeals, articles or other recognition.

Email me if you've signed up and let me know your thoughts (email link is upper right corner of this site).

Also, are you on Twitter (cbhopkins), Facebook (cbhopkins), and LinkedIn? After you clear voicemails, emails, faxes, and mail... do we need other ways to be reached? Or are the latter groups just there when you have a spare moment at the courthouse, airport or depo?

Whenever you take that next foray into social/professional networking, feel free to drop a line and follow/friend/connect with me.