Announcing the new IAML Website

I am delighted to be able to inform you that the new IAML website is now live.  If you call up www.iaml.org or www.iaml-usa.com, you will see that the website has a more modern look and feel and, while maintaining all of the tried and tested functions of the old site, you will find that there are some new features that I hope you will find useful.

Summary of New Features

The following new features are available to the public and IAML fellows alike:

• A website area for each of the IAML Chapters including links to recent Chapter newsletters, forthcoming events and an up-to-date list of Chapter Officials.  Select Chapters from the top bar to access these sub-sites
• As well as facilities to search for IAML fellows by name or by country/state using the world map, there is now an Advanced Search facility which allows the user to search for a fellow by name, firm name, country, state, region, city, specialist area and languages spoken.  This can be accessed using the Advanced Search button under Find a Lawyer in the right-hand column or under Members in the top bar
• The IAML Law Journal as compiled by Frank McGuane and his team is available under IAML Law Journal in the top bar
• A glossary of family law terms is included under Glossary in the bar along the bottom of the page.  The initial content of this glossary was kindly supplied by Simon Bruce

New/Improved Members-Only Features

The features descibed below are available to you as IAML Fellows when you are logged in to the website.  In order to login, you must first activate your account (see feature in the right-hand column of this newlsetter) and then enter your username and password under Member Login in the left-hand column of the home page.

Once logged in, a Member Options menu is displayed in the left-hand column of the page.  From this you can choose to:

• Change your username or password using the My Account option
• Send messages to other fellows and groups of fellows using the Messages option
• View your profile on the IAML website (which will also be used in the next issue of the Certified List) using the View Profile option
• Update your profile using the Edit Profile option.  This shows you which data are displayed only to IAML Fellows and which are displayed to the public.  Note that Judicial Fellows', Non-Practising Fellows' and IAML Staff Members' data are only displayed to Fellows when logged in.  Please use this feature to add your specialist areas so that your profile will show up when users of the site search for a lawyer by specialist area
• Read members news or add your own article to share with other fellows using the News option
• Read members-only publications such as the latest issue of the Certified List or Nominating Committee announcements using the Publications option
• Find lawyers recommended by other fellows in jurisdictions where we do not yet have fellows using the Referrals option
• Chat to other fellows on topics of interest or give me feedbck on the website using the Forums option

Fellows are also able to see more information in the public area of the website when they are logged in, such as:

• When viewing the profiles of other fellows, you are able to view personal information for them, such as their formal salutation, informal salutation and partner/spouse's name (if they have supplied this data).  You are also able to view the profiles of IAML staff members and Judicial and Non-Practising Fellows, whose data is not shared with the public
• There is a facility to book forthcoming IAML events online.  Although you will currently have to pay for your online booking by cheque, we will soon be implementing online credit and debit card payments.  In order to book events online, simply view the event under Events in the top bar when logged on and the online booking form will appear below the event details.  Note that this feature has only been implemented for the forthcoming AGM in Cape Town and not for the USA Chapter meeting in Boston

And Finally...

I hope that you will find the new website easy to use and informative.  I am committed to keeping the website up-to-date and to continuously improve the site content.  Please let me know what you think and share your ideas for improvements with me.  If you spot any information which is out of date, think of any additional terms to be included in the glossary, or have an inspired idea for a new facility that we could offer then please let me know and I will do my best to act on your suggestions.  I will also be happy to help you if you are having problems using the site.

With best wishes,

Donna Goddard
Website Adminstrator, IAML
donna.goddard@iaml.org