System and method for public and private messages in an information management system

Abstract

There is disclosed method and apparatus for storing and processing information in a data storage and processing system used by attorneys, wherein there is sent an electronic message from the processing system to one or more e-mail recipients. An electronic message is received in the processing system from an e-mail sender, with the electronic messages specifying one or more individuals or groups of individuals to receive the electronic message. Individuals specified to receive a message are allowed to view the message, and the message is in association with respective legal matters tracked by the system. Individuals not specified to receive a message are allowed to view a message if the message is designated available to be viewed by those other than the recipients. Further, a user not specified to receive a message viewing the message in connection with viewing data being tracked for a particular legal matter.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.