Method and system for role-based access control to a collaborative online legal workflow tool

Abstract

A computer system and method for distributed legal workflow security provides role-based access control to a collaborative online workflow tool. The system includes a computer network having one or more computers operably programmed and configured to receive input defining computer system access privileges for a plurality of distributed legal workflow participants. The system receives input associating one or more legal workflow role types defined by users with one or more of the distributed legal workflow participants to define the role-based access. Permission privileges are input and associated with a plurality of legal workflow graphical interface functions based on the one or more legal workflow role types. Based on the permission privileges associated with the role type of the participant, the system provides legal workflow graphical interface functionality to the one or more distributed legal workflow participants.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A computer system for distributed legal workflow security, the computer system providing central administration of legal workflow conducted by a plurality of distributed workflow participants, the system comprising a computer network including one or more computers operably programmed and configured to: 
 (i) receive input defining computer system access privileges for a plurality of distributed legal workflow participants;    (ii) receive input associating one or more legal workflow role types with one or more of the distributed legal workflow participants;    (iii) receive input associating permission privileges for a plurality of legal workflow graphical interface functionality with one or more of the legal workflow role types; and    (iv) provide legal workflow graphical interface functionality to the one or more distributed legal workflow participants according to the permission privileges associated with the participants respective legal workflow role types.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the legal workflow includes intellectual property legal workflow.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the intellectual property legal workflow includes patent legal workflow.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the intellectual property legal workflow includes trademark legal workflow.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the intellectual property legal workflow includes conflict legal workflow.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the intellectual property legal workflow includes agreement legal workflow.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the intellectual property legal workflow includes legal financial workflow.  
     
     
         8 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the permission privileges are selected from a group consisting of active, inactive, hidden, greyed, edit, no edit, add, delete and grant.  
     
     
         9 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the graphical interface functionality is selected from a group consisting of text, graphics, hyperlinks, form fields, buttons, drop-down lists, tables, menu items and page sections.  
     
     
         10 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the distributed legal workflow participants are selected from a group consisting of attorneys, support staff, customers, customer clients, internal employees and suppliers.  
     
     
         11 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more computers are additionally programmed and configured to filter data records according to legal workflow role type.  
     
     
         12 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more computers are additionally programmed and configured to filter data records according to distributed legal workflow participant.  
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the permission privileges are associated based on a geographical location of the distributed legal workflow participants.  
     
     
         14 . A method for providing legal workflow security conducted by a plurality of distributed workflow participants, the method comprising: 
 receiving input defining computer system access privileges for a plurality of distributed legal workflow participants;    receiving input associating one or more legal workflow role types with one or more of the distributed legal workflow participants;    receiving input associating permission privileges for a plurality of legal workflow graphical interface functionality with one or more of the legal workflow role types; and    providing legal workflow graphical interface functionality to the one or more distributed legal workflow participants according to the permission privileges associated with the participants respective legal workflow role types.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising providing a computer network including one or more computers operably programmed and configured to input user access commands.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of filtering data records with the one or more computers according to legal work role type.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of filtering data records with the one or more computers according to distributed legal workflow participant.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of filtering data records with the one or more computers according based on a geographical location of the distributed legal workflow participants.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of providing legal workflow graphical interface functionality comprises interfaces for intellectual property legal workflow.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of receiving permission privileges further comprises inputting permission privileges selected from a group consisting of active, inactive, hidden, greyed, edit, no edit, add, delete and grant.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of providing graphical interface functionality further comprises generating functionality selected from a group consisting of text, graphics, hyperlinks, form fields, buttons, drop-down lists, tables, menu items and page sections.