This just-released announcement from Thomson Corp. promises to reshape the field of law firm Web design, but the question is in what way:

FindLaw Acquires Hubbard One

EAGAN, Minn., July 26, 2004 – FindLaw®, a Thomson business (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), today announced the company has acquired Hubbard One, the legal profession’s leading provider of marketing applications to large U.S. law firms. The combination of Hubbard One and FindLaw creates the legal industry’s broadest, most comprehensive and first fully integrated suite of business and marketing applications, connected to the world’s largest, best-qualified audiences and communities. The acquisition also accelerates FindLaw’s strategy to be the legal profession’s premier provider of business and client development products and services.

Hubbard One joins FindLaw on the heels of FindLaw’s acquisition of Glasser LegalWorks and the launch of the Thomson Legal Record, an innovative service that enables in-house corporate counsel to do due diligence by researching the litigation track record of outside lawyers and law firms. The combined strength of these services enables large law firms to build profitable relationships with current and prospective clients by tapping into established and engaged audiences of corporate counsel, business professionals, consumers and legal professionals in person, in print and on the Web.

Through the acquisition, Hubbard One will become part of FindLaw, aligned with the Thomson Legal & Regulatory market group. Hubbard One’s operations, employees and management will continue to be based in Chicago. Hubbard One President and CEO John Fish will join FindLaw as vice president and general manager, Hubbard One. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

(snip, snip)

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.