When I was threatened with libel by Sybase, I jumped on the phone with the general counsels from Oracle and Computer Associates, and based on their "I'm not acting as your lawyer" general comments, handling things myself. The big difference is that "Handling things myself" amounted to sending back a couple of letters, not dealing with legal paperwork.
I'd say that advice across the internet on whether to engage a lawyer, how to engage a lawyer, or what your negotiating strategy might be is fair game, and could be just as good or bad as any other internet advice. Talking about your case in public, for the other side to see, could be disadvantageous, but that's a reasonable risk to take.
For actual legal procedures -- yeah, you absolutely need a lawyer. But the best organized and most affordable one may not give the best strategic advice.
I'd say that advice across the internet on whether to engage a lawyer, how to engage a lawyer, or what your negotiating strategy might be is fair game, and could be just as good or bad as any other internet advice. Talking about your case in public, for the other side to see, could be disadvantageous, but that's a reasonable risk to take.
For actual legal procedures -- yeah, you absolutely need a lawyer. But the best organized and most affordable one may not give the best strategic advice.