The Defense Research Institute, an international association of civil defense attorneys and corporate counsel, has launched DRI Today, which it describes as “a one-stop online information portal for the legal community.”

So far, it is nowhere near being a one-stop information source. Its directory of blawgs, for example, barely scratches the surface, especially when compared to blawg directories such as those compiled by Justia or the ABA Journal.

That said, DRI Today has some worthwhile features. The most notable is the full text (in PDF) of For the Defense, the DRI monthly magazine, including back issues through to January 2008.  Each issue of the magazine focuses on a theme, such as  medical liability and health care law, and includes a variety of practical, lawyer-written articles.

Other features of the new portal include:

  • A news feed of articles from various sources of interest to the defense bar.
  • A library of amicus briefs filed by the DRI on such issues as punitive damages, class certification, attorneys’ fees and attorney-client privilege.
  • Posts from the DRI Blog.
  • A “find a lawyer” directory of DRI members.

DRI’s intent is to have the site grow based in part on feedback from users. For example, an “Issue Tracking” icon on the front page invites members to suggest issues they would like the site to track.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.