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BARRISTER GLOBAL SERVICES NETWORK, INC.

EXHIBIT 10.5

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is effective as of January 1, 2001,
by and between Henry P. Semmelhack, residing at 761 Willardshire Road, Orchard
Park, New York 14127 ("Semmelhack"), and Barrister Global Information Network,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, having its office and principal place of business
at 465 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14203 ("Barrister").

                  WHEREAS, Semmelhack is currently employed by Barrister as its
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Barrister and
Semmelhack wish to continue this employment relationship on the terms of this
Agreement and to provide for a future consulting relationship;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and the mutual
covenants and obligations in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:

         1.       Term The term of this Agreement will begin as of January 1,
                  2001 and will continue for five years (the "Term").

         2.       Duties and Responsibilities

                  A.       During the first two years of the Term, Semmelhack
                           will be an employee of Barrister and will perform the
                           duties of Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
                           Executive Officer of Barrister. Semmelhack will
                           devote his full business time and best efforts,
                           skills, and ability to promote the business of
                           Barrister and perform for Barrister such duties as
                           are customarily performed by a management or
                           executive employee having responsibility in such
                           areas. Semmelhack will have such power and authority
                           as will reasonably be required to enable him to
                           perform his duties in an efficient manner; provided
                           that in the exercising of such power and authority
                           and the performance of such duties, he will at all
                           times be subject to the direction of the Board of
                           Directors of Barrister.

                  B.       Semmelhack will continue to be an employee of
                           Barrister and to perform the duties described in
                           paragraph A of this Section 2 during the third year
                           of the Term if Barrister requests that he do so at
                           least 90 days before the end of the second year of
                           the Term.

                  C.       Semmelhack's employee status will terminate at the
                           end of the second year of the Term or, if he
                           continues to act as Chairman of the Board, President
                           and Chief Executive Officer of Barrister during the
                           third year under

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                           paragraph B of this Section 2, at any time during the
                           third year of the Term upon written notice from
                           Barrister. For the remainder of the Term, Semmelhack
                           agrees to be available to provide consulting services
                           to Barrister of a nature, to be determined by mutual
                           agreement between Semmelhack and the Board of
                           Directors of Barrister. Semmelhack will provide such
                           consulting services as an independent contractor,
                           upon terms and conditions determined jointly by
                           Semmelhack and the Board of Directors of Barrister.

                  D.       While Semmelhack is an employee of Barrister, he will
                           serve as a member of the Board of Directors of
                           Barrister. Thereafter, he will serve as a member of
                           the Board of Directors of Barrister with full rights
                           and responsibilities of other non-employee directors
                           until the earlier of his resignation or removal.

         3.       Compensation

                  A.       For all periods during which Semmelhack is performing
                           the duties described in Section 2(A) or 2(B), he will
                           be compensated as follows:

                           I.       Semmelhack will be paid a salary at a rate
                                    fixed from time to time by the Board of
                                    Directors of Barrister (the "Base Salary"),
                                    payable in approximately equal installments
                                    at such intervals as Barrister pays the
                                    salaries of its executive employees.
                                    Semmelhack's initial Base Salary will be
                                    $160,000 per year.

                           II.      Semmelhack will be eligible for additional
                                    incentive compensation each year, determined
                                    in accordance with Exhibit A, which is
                                    attached to and made a part of this
                                    Agreement.

                           III.     Barrister will pay Semmelhack during any
                                    period of disability lasting less than six
                                    months in accordance with its short-term
                                    disability policy for executive employees.
                                    After six months of disability, Barrister
                                    will pay Semmelhack the difference, if any,
                                    between Semmelhack's Base Salary and any
                                    long-term disability payments he receives
                                    under Barrister's long-term disability
                                    insurance policy, adjusted for taxes.
                                    Semmelhack will contribute to Barrister's
                                    long-term disability insurance policy. In no
                                    event will the operation of this subsection
                                    result in payments to Semmelhack in any year
                                    in an amount which in the aggregate exceeds
                                    Semmelhack's Base Salary for such year.

                           IV.      Semmelhack will be entitled to reimbursement
                                    for all reasonable travel and other business
                                    expenses incurred by him on behalf of
                                    Barrister. Semmelhack will be included, on
                                    the same terms as other executive employees
                                    of Barrister, in any life insurance,
                                    accidental death and dismemberment
                                    insurance, medical insurance, pension and
                                    profit-

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                                    sharing plans, health care expense
                                    reimbursement and other employee benefit
                                    programs that Barrister may have in force
                                    from time to time for its personnel.

                           V.       Semmelhack will be entitled to eight weeks
                                    paid vacation per year.

                  B.       In consideration of Semmelhack's agreement to provide
                           consulting services as described in Section 2(C), his
                           compensation will be $108,000 per year, paid monthly
                           in approximately equal installments.

         4.       Termination

                  A.       If Semmelhack is substantially unable to render the
                           services described in this Agreement for a period in
                           excess of six months because of disability or
                           illness, Barrister has the right to terminate this
                           Agreement by giving at least thirty days' advance
                           written notice after the end of the six-month period.
                           However, if Semmelhack resumes his duties during that
                           thirty-day period and continuously performs his
                           duties for at least two consecutive months
                           thereafter, the notice of termination will be
                           disregarded and this Agreement will continue in full
                           force as though such notice of termination had not
                           been given. If a question arises as to Semmelhack's
                           ability to perform his regular duties, Semmelhack
                           will be examined by a physician selected jointly by
                           Barrister and Semmelhack. If they cannot agree on a
                           physician, Semmelhack and Barrister will each choose
                           a physician and those two physicians will jointly
                           select a third physician to examine Semmelhack. The
                           determination of the examining physician will be
                           final and binding on all parties for the purposes of
                           this Section 4(A). If this Agreement is terminated
                           under this Section 4(A) and Semmelhack dies of the
                           illness or disability before all payments to which he
                           is entitled under Section 4(C) have been made,
                           Barrister will make such payments to Semmelhack's
                           beneficiary or beneficiaries in accordance with
                           Section 7.

                  B.       Barrister has the right, in its sole discretion, to
                           terminate this Agreement at any time for cause, other
                           than on account of illness or disability as provided
                           in Section 4(A), by giving at least fourteen days'
                           advance written notice to Semmelhack of the date when
                           such termination will become effective. For purposes
                           of this Section 4, "cause" means Semmelhack's breach
                           of any provision of this Agreement, failure to adhere
                           to Barrister's Rules and Regulations for Employees
                           (as set forth in Section 1.4-1 of Barrister's
                           Corporate Policies and Procedures Manual, determined
                           by the standard of reasonableness), misconduct or
                           other unlawful, disloyal or unethical conduct that
                           could result in liability or loss of a business
                           advantage or good will to Barrister, refusal to
                           follow the reasonable or lawful directions of the
                           board of directors of Barrister, misfeasance,
                           recklessness or gross negligence in the performance
                           of his duties, neglect of such duties or, in the

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                           reasonable judgment of Barrister, willful injury to
                           another or any act of fraud, dishonesty or
                           competition against Barrister.

                  C.       If this Agreement is terminated by Barrister before
                           the expiration of its Term, under Section 4(A) or for
                           any reason other than cause, Barrister will pay
                           Semmelhack (i) his Base Salary, if he is an employee
                           at the time of the termination, or his annual
                           compensation under Section 3(B), if he is a
                           consultant at the time of the termination, for the
                           remainder of the Term, in accordance with the terms
                           of Section 3(A)(i) or 3(B), whichever is applicable,
                           and (ii) any other compensation or benefits due under
                           this Agreement only to the date of termination. If
                           this Agreement is terminated by Barrister for cause
                           prior to the expiration of its Term, Barrister will
                           pay Semmelhack any compensation or benefits due under
                           this Agreement only to the date of such termination.
                           A substantial diminution in Semmelhack's duties as an
                           employee as described in Section 2 will be considered
                           a termination under this Section 4(C).

         5.       Proprietary Rights and Non-Competition As a condition of his
                  employment by Barrister under this Agreement, Semmelhack will
                  enter into and be bound by the Employee Inventions, Works of
                  Authorship, Proprietary Rights and Non-Competition Agreement,
                  which is attached to and made a part of this Agreement as
                  Exhibit B, to the same extent as if the text of the Exhibit,
                  other than Sections 15.00 and 15.01, had been fully set forth
                  in the body of this Agreement. The provisions of this
                  Agreement will control over any inconsistent provisions in
                  Exhibit B. Semmelhack acknowledges he has read, understands
                  and agrees to abide by the terms of Exhibit B, including the
                  covenant not to compete contained in Section 12.00 of Exhibit
                  B, and that the employment with and payments by Barrister
                  under this Agreement are satisfactory and adequate
                  consideration for his agreement to comply with all of the
                  provisions in Exhibit B.

         6.       Non-Solicitation and Non-Interference For a period of one year
                  following Semmelhack's termination under Section 4 or the
                  termination of this Agreement according to its terms,
                  Semmelhack will not, directly or indirectly, on his own behalf
                  or through another person or entity, (i) contact, solicit,
                  offer to hire or hire any person who was employed by Barrister
                  during the six-month period immediately before such
                  termination; (ii) communicate or have contact with Barrister's
                  employees, customers, suppliers, or other persons with whom
                  Barrister may then have business relations if such
                  communication or contact may interfere with or otherwise
                  interrupt Barrister's operations, employment or business
                  relationships with such persons, or (iii) by any means issue
                  or communicate any private or public statement that may be
                  critical or disparaging of Barrister or its products,
                  services, officers, directors or employees.

         7.       Designation of Beneficiary; Lump Sum Payments Semmelhack will
                  give the Secretary of Barrister a written statement
                  designating a beneficiary entitled to

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                  receive any benefits payable to Semmelhack after his death
                  under Section 4(A) of this Agreement. This designation may be
                  revoked or amended by Semmelhack at any time. If no such
                  written designation is filed with the Secretary of Barrister,
                  or if the designated beneficiary is not alive when a payment
                  is to be made, payments will be made in equal shares to
                  Semmelhack's children who are alive at the time of such
                  payment. If Semmelhack has no surviving designated beneficiary
                  or children at the time a payment is to be made, the net
                  present value (based on 7% interest compounded annually) of
                  the monthly payments due under such Section 4(A) will be paid
                  to Semmelhack's estate. In determining the eligibility and
                  status of persons entitled to receive payments under this
                  Section, Barrister may rely on its records and the good faith
                  determinations of its officers, and Barrister will not be
                  liable to any person for any sums paid to any other persons
                  pursuant to such records and determinations.

         8.       Participation in Other Plans Nothing in this Agreement affects
                  any right that Semmelhack may otherwise have to participate
                  in, or any right under, any other retirement plan or agreement
                  that Barrister may provide now or in the future.

         9.       Assignment This Agreement will not be assigned by either party
                  without the advance written permission of the non-assigning
                  party. Neither Semmelhack nor any beneficiary designated to
                  receive payments under this Agreement has any power to
                  transfer, assign, anticipate, mortgage or otherwise encumber
                  in advance any of the benefits payable under this Agreement,
                  nor will such benefits be subject to seizure for the payment
                  of any debts or judgments or be transferable by operation in
                  law in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise.

         10.      Equitable Relief; Claims Generally Semmelhack acknowledges
                  that Barrister will suffer damages incapable of ascertainment
                  in the event that any of the provisions of Section 5, Section
                  6 or Exhibit B are breached and that Barrister will be
                  irrevocably damaged in the event that these provisions are not
                  enforced fully. Therefore, if any dispute arises with respect
                  to the breach or threatened breach of such provisions,
                  Semmelhack agrees and consents that, in addition to any and
                  all other remedies available to Barrister, an injunction or
                  restraining order or other equitable relief may be issued or
                  ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction restraining any
                  breach or threatened breach of such provisions. Semmelhack
                  agrees not to argue in any such action that an adequate remedy
                  exists at law. All expenses, including without limitation,
                  attorneys' fees and expenses incurred in connection with any
                  legal proceeding arising as a result of a breach or a
                  threatened breach of Section 5, Section 6 or Exhibit B of this
                  Agreement will be borne by the losing party to the fullest
                  extent permitted by law. Semmelhack recognizes and agrees that
                  the restrictions contained in Section 5, Section 6 and Exhibit
                  B will be effective and enforceable notwithstanding the
                  non-performance or breach of this Agreement by Barrister and
                  notwithstanding any claim made by Semmelhack against Barrister
                  under this Agreement.

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         11.      Cumulative Remedies Any of the remedies provided for in this
                  Agreement will be in addition to any remedy available to
                  either party at law or equity.

         12.      Dispute Resolution

                  A.       Barrister, in its sole discretion, elect to have any
                           dispute or claim arising under or in relation to this
                           Agreement, regardless of which party initiated such
                           dispute or claim, determined by arbitration
                           procedures in Buffalo, New York, in accordance with
                           the rules of commercial arbitration of the American
                           Arbitration Association.

                  B.       The parties consent to the jurisdiction of the courts
                           of the State of New York and the federal courts in
                           the State of New York for all purposes, including to
                           issue injunctive relief and to render judgment on and
                           enforce any arbitration award. Any judgment rendered
                           by a court of competent jurisdiction will be entitled
                           to full faith and credit anywhere in the United
                           States.

                  C.       The prevailing party in any court and/or arbitration
                           proceeding in connection with this Agreement is
                           entitled to payment of all costs, including
                           reasonable legal fees, incurred in connection with
                           such proceeding.

         13.      Binding Agreement This Agreement constitutes the entire
                  Agreement between the parties and supersedes any and all prior
                  Agreements between the parties. This Agreement will be binding
                  upon the Parties hereto, their heirs, executors,
                  administrators or successors.

         14.      Amendment This Agreement may not be modified, amended or
                  supplemented except in a writing executed by both parties.

         15.      Severability; Reformation If any part of this Agreement is
                  held by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction
                  to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in such jurisdiction,
                  the remainder of the Agreement will be given full effect,
                  without regard to the invalid portion. It is the intention of
                  the parties that if any court construes any provision of this
                  Agreement to be illegal, void or unenforceable because of the
                  duration or the area or matter covered by the provision, the
                  court will reduce the duration, area or matter of such
                  provision, and in its reduced form, such provision will be
                  enforceable, and will be enforced. With respect to the
                  duration of any covenant, the parties agree that the court may
                  reduce the duration in three-month increments to the maximum
                  permissible under the law.

         16.      Governing Law This Agreement will be construed in accordance
                  with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, except
                  for its principles of conflict of laws.

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         17.      Notices Any notice or other communication under this Agreement
                  will be in writing and delivered by hand, by carrier or by
                  certified mail, to the other party at the address shown above
                  or such other address as a party has indicated in writing in
                  accordance with this Section 17.

         18.      Legal Advice Semmelhack represents and warrants to Barrister
                  that he had the opportunity to seek, and was not prevented nor
                  discouraged by Barrister from seeking, independent legal
                  advice prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement
                  and that, in the event that he did not avail himself of that
                  opportunity prior to signing this Agreement, he did so
                  voluntarily without any pressure or compulsion, such failure
                  to obtain independent legal advice was of his own choice, and
                  he will not use that failure as a defense to any enforcement
                  of his obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement is a
                  negotiated Agreement and will not be construed against the
                  party who caused it to be prepared.

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                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to
be signed as of the date first above written.

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    Henry P. Semmelhack

                                    BARRISTER GLOBAL INFORMATION NETWORK, INC.

                                    By _________________________________________
                                       Franklin S. Barry
                                       Chairman, Compensation Committee

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                                    EXHIBIT A

                             INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

                                    EXHIBIT B

        EMPLOYEE INVENTIONS, WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP, PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AND
                            NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT