InternationalLawHelp.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Q. What kind of international law information is provided by InternationalLawHelp.com (ILH)?
A. ILH is a website which features a collection of treaties and other primary source documents, links to other useful international and foreign law websites, reports from Sponsors concerning current developments in private and public international law, an on-line forum through which visitors can discuss international law subjects (closed to new posts as of July 1, 2003), and an e-mail service to address specific informational questions posed by visitors. We welcome e-mail inquiries from students or anyone else with questions of a general or academic nature. We regret that we are unable to respond to all inquiries we receive. We ask that visitors do not contact us via this website or our listed e-mail addresses about specific legal problems. In responding to any e-mail inquiry, the Sponsors of ILH can not and will not dispense legal advice regarding actual legal matters. To provide such advice, an attorney must actually be retained and formally establish an attorney-client relationship. Simply sending an e-mail inquiry to this website or to a Sponsor DOES NOT establish an attorney-client relationship between the sender and an ILH Sponsor. The Sponsors of ILH are attorneys trained and experienced in various aspects of international law. They have established this website as a general informational and educational resource on the Internet, not as an advertisement for clients. Many questions and issues of international law can be researched by utilizing the free resources of our website. Of course, the information on this website is intended for educational and informational purposes only and judgments about actual legal matters should not be based on information derived solely from this website. We strongly recommend consultation with a competent and experienced attorney before any such decisions are made.
2. Q. Who sponsors ILH?
A. ILH is sponsored by two individual attorneys, Howard S. Schiffman, Esq. and Robert I. Goodman, Esq. Both Mr. Schiffman and Mr. Goodman concentrate on various areas of international law (See Sponsors Page). The Sponsors of ILH have agreed to form this website as a free online general information resource and educational tool.
3. Q. Is ILH a law firm?
A. No, ILH is a website, not a law partnership or firm. Our Sponsors have no contractual duties between them. While we welcome inquiries from anyone interested in information about the subject of international law, the Sponsors of ILH can not and will not dispense legal advice on actual legal matters simply in response to an e-mail inquiry. To offer legal advice, counsel or information services to a client any attorney must have full knowledge of the facts and circumstances of a client's situation. In addition, although the Sponsors of ILH are attorneys duly licensed to practice law in their respective jurisdictions, ILH is not structured, and does not function, as a traditional law firm. As is the case with all responsible lawyers, there are many matters which Mr. Goodman and Mr. Schiffman choose not to pursue. This is especially so where the services of attorneys with other types of professional concentrations would be more appropriate. Similarly, we can not and will not pursue matters where legal expertise in jurisdictions outside of our own Bar admissions is required. In responding to visitor inquiries Mr. Goodman and Mr. Schiffman expect that they will work together wherever possible to provide the best possible response.
5. Q. If I send an e-mail inquiry must I retain (hire) a Sponsor of ILH or have my case referred?
A. Absolutely not! Simply because you send an inquiry you are under no obligation to retain/hire a Sponsor to provide legal services. In fact, we ask that website visitors only send inquiries of a general informational or educational nature and not use this website or our e-mail addresses to contact us about rendering actual legal services. We prefer to maintain this website as a free online resource for research and educational purposes, not as an advertisement for our legal services. Keep in mind there is certainly no obligation whatsoever on the part of our Sponsors to handle any particular matter brought to them. Nor do Sponsors have an obligation to refer cases to each other or to any outside attorney. As previously noted, ILH Sponsors cannot and will not dispense legal advice simply in response to an e-mail inquiry and sending an e-mail inquiry does not establish an attorney-client relationship with a Sponsor or Sponsors.
6. Q. Does ILH provide pro bono legal services to indigent clients?
A. As of this writing the Sponsors of ILH do not have pro bono programs.
7. Q. How can I find out more about the individual Sponsors of ILH?
A. We have provided biographies of ILH Sponsors detailing their credentials. Simply click here or on the "SPONSORS" button at the bottom of the page.
8. Q. How can I contact the Sponsors of InternationalLawHelp for information?
A. It's easy! Just click here or on the "CONTACTS" button below.