Listserves are a convenient way for people who have a common interest in a selected topic to exchange opinions and discuss issues of mutual concern. A listserver maintains mailing lists for e-mail distribution from one member of a list to all the other members on that list. If you choose to subscribe to a listserve, your name and e-mail address is automatically added to the list.

Because the message is forwarded to all the subscribers within a few minutes, the "discussion" is timely. For some members, however, the messages will be sent but will be waiting for subscribers whenever they download their e-mail at their convenience.

Most lists are public and anyone can join. Some members who join are not active participants but rather simply read the postings made by others. One must subscribe to the list through the Administrator of the Listserver.

There are also "law lists" which can be a listserve, mailing list, electronic discussion group, forum, e-mail list, e-conferences, and sometimes, "bulletin boards." List features include the ability to postpone mail, receive a digest of list messages (one mailing of the messages for a day with routing information stripped, to reduce the length and frequency of receipt of messages), and search list archives.

Below is a list of web sites that may have listserves to fit your interests.

http://www.legalassistanttoday.com/lat-forum/

The LAT "Listserv" is an effort to provide a real-time forum for discussing the more complex questions and issues of the day. LAT-forum is a free independent, national and international e-mail "listserve" that will provide all readers with the opportunity to network, ask profession-related questions, and find out what other paralegals are facing on a daily basis.

http://legalminds.lp.findlaw.com:

Findlaw hosts a list of archives including such headings as "Legal Subjects," "Law Practice and Technology," and "Legal Reference and Bulletins." Related Resources gives mailing lists hosted by FindLaw LegalMinds, a list of law mailing lists from the University of Chicago Law School, and Washburn’s Legal Community Lists. This is a good site to explore.

http://www.washlaw.edu/reflaw/reflistserv.html:

Under "LISTSERVE ARCHIVES at Washburn" one can find a variety of subjects and "listservs" to investigate. From Agriculture Law to Legal Ethics there are many "listservs" to which one can subscribe. Click on links to get to your desired subject.

http://www.liszt.com:

Again, this has many topics organized as a mailing list directory. This site includes general topics of interest as well as law related topics found under the heading, "Politics." It tells the reader how many lists can be accessed under the topic headings. The e-mail lists give a platform for debating issues of the day.

http://tile.net/lists/

This web site is a reference to internet discussion and information lists. One can search for your interest topic by name, description, or domain. Many free e-mail opportunities are offered at this site.

These are only a few of the sites which can help you to access current information. Many of these lists are free.