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The problem: Family law attorneys don’t have enough clients or have huge collections/receivables issue. People with family law problems can’t afford and/or do not want to use family law attorneys. The solution: Cloud based document automation allows attorneys to create a document automation system that is accessible from anywhere. The system allows lawyers to automate legal pleadings and save user data. Lawyers, paralegal/assistants or the actual clients can input essential data. Data is merged into forms making drafting simple, fast and efficient. Since the system is cloud based, a portal allows a user (the public) to browse forms, select and purchase a form for their personal use, and create a Microsoft word document that is professional, easy to use, and legally perfect. Providing local, family law legal forms directly to the public benefits lawyers, law firms AND the public? Modern Law Forms is the future of law. Stop thinking of legal services as an all or nothing proposition!
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Document Automation in the CloudVIRTUAL LAWYERING ON STEROIDS
What is cloud based document automation?
How can it be used and why use it?
Ethical Implications of cloud based automation and usage
Technical Requirements
Does not require a server
Typically subscription based
Accessed via an
internet signal
Hosted in remote
databasesWhat is Cloud-
based?
Accessible only within your
network or from your computer
Software such as
Microsoft Word
Hosted on your
computer or serverWhat is Non-Cloud-based?
DOCUMENT AUTOMATION
Document Automation
Designed to reduce redundancy and simplify processes
Systems and workflows that assist in the creation of electronic documents
Creates contracts, letters, or legal documents in less time
Implemented in law firms, websites, and companies to increase efficiency
This is the future of law
The Future of Law In 2009 Richard Susskind published the book The
End of Lawyers? Rethinking the Nature of Legal Services
Predicted idea that the legal profession is on the brink of a fundamental transformation.
Driven by two irresistible forces:
The commoditization of legal services; and
The IT revolution.
Commoditization
• Standardization• Systemization • Packaging
IT revolution
• Automated document assembly (legal zoom)
• Online legal guidance (virtual law firms)
• Legal open-sourcing (information shares like AVVO or Findlaw
Use of Forms
Internally
Externally
Use of FormsInternally
• Increase efficiency• Save Time• Decrease Prices • Increase Profit• Limited Scope
Services
Externally• Other Law Firms• Non-Client Users• Document Preparers• Legal Aid/Non profit • Create a Client
Pipeline
Why Use Limited Scope Services Control your workload Control your schedule Limit your exposure on a case Build your practice Reduce accounts receivable issues Create profit Increase your client base Meet demand
Roughly 60% to 90% of family law cases nationally involve at least one self-represented litigant.
Only 5 percent or less of cases in general civil dockets include a self-represented litigant.
Recent data shows
Compared to…
Maricopa County
60 percent of family law cases have no attorneys, 30% have 1 attorney, 10% have two attorneys.
That means that 30,000 at one time in Maricopa county are in need of your assistance.
One judge disclosed that there are 20,000 filings in family court at one time….
Largest factor:
Affordability of attorneys and the cost of representation.
Average divorce: $20-40k.
Too much for Americas and Maricopa County Residents
Doesn‘t mean they don’t have money or can’t afford any representation.
They just can’t afford the whole shebang!
Not a fun way to spend money.
A client with millions doesn’t appreciate huge legal bills.
How do you think they got to be millionaires?
Why?
Control
• We are smarter consumers.
• We are a DIY nation.
• We have greater expectations.
• Even wealthy & savvy clients may choose limited scope representation.
Why?
Our culture has changed
Here’s how we think it should look…
But how do the Rules of Ethics impact our use of this product?
ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS
Unauthorized Practice
Attorney-Client
Relationship
Solicitation
Advertising
Confidentiality
Ethical Implications
Fees -Value Billing
Scope of
Services
Cloud Computin
g and Complianc
e
Conflicts
Duties to prospective clients
Dual busines
s activitie
s
Ethical Implications
ETHICAL DUTIES
Diligence
Confidentiality
Competence
Safe-Keeping Property
Avoiding Conflic
ts
Communication
Ethical Implications: Clients
Fairness
Confidentiality
Truthfulness
Avoiding Conflicts
Full Disclosur
e
Affirmative
Disclosure
Ethical Implications: Non-Clients
CLIENT DUTIES
Client Duties
Competence• Forms must be
up to date and correct
• Viewed and verified by attorneys
Diligence and promptness
• Helps control workload
• Efficient and effective
Client Duties
Confidentiality
Safe-Keeping Property
ELECTRONIC STORAGE: INTERNET
Model Rule 1.6
Electronic Storage/Internet
• ER's 1.6 and 1.1 require an attorney act competently to safeguard client information and confidences.
• Reasonable precautions
• Protect security and confidentiality of docs and data
– Competent review of proposed security measures
– Periodic review
Model Rule 1.6(c)
• A lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of, or unauthorized access to, information relating to the representation of a client.
Client Duties
Conflicts
Value Billing
Client Duties
Scope of Services
Communication
FEESModel Rule 1.5
Fees Value Billing
Use of legal forms internally and recover development cost?
• Flat Fee
• Hybrid Billing
• Earned Upon Receipt
DUTIES TO NON-CLIENTS
Rule 1.18: Duties to Prospective Client
Fairness
Confidentiality
Truthfulness
Avoiding Conflicts
Full Disclosu
re
Affirmative
Disclosure
DUTIES TO PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS
Non-Client Duties
• Lawyer’s responsibility to ensure user understands they are not in a Lawyer-Client Relationship.
• Use disclaimers• State early and often and get an affirmative
acknowledgment• Suggest consultation with an attorney
LAW RELATED SERVICESRule 5.7: Responsibilities Regarding Law-related Services
DUAL CAREERS?MRPC 5.7(b)
Dual Careers
• Simultaneous engagement in a business career and the practice of law is permissible
• Independent in operation and practice
• Same physical location is OK but must maintain:
• Separate phone numbers
– Letterheads, books and records
– Assure that all legal files will remain confidential
MRPC 5.7(b) states:“The term law-related services denotes services that might
reasonably be performed in conjunction with and in substance are related to the provision of legal services, and that are not prohibited as unauthorized practice of law when provided by a non-lawyer.”
Official Comment:When law-related services are provided by a lawyer under circumstances that are not distinct from the lawyer's provision of legal services to clients, the lawyer in providing the law-related services must adhere to the requirements of the Rules of Professional Conduct as provided in paragraph (a)(1).
Best Practice Guidelines for Legal Information Web Site Providers2003 E-lawyering Task Force, ABA Law Practice Management Section and
ABA Standing Committee On the Delivery of Legal Services
1. Contact Information
2. Dating Material
3. Jurisdiction
4. Limits of Legal Information (disclaimer)
5. Links
Best Practices Con’tThe goal of these guidelines is to promote the development of quality legal web
sites and to provide guidance to legal web site developers.
6. Legal Citations
7. Referrals
8. Permissions
9. Terms and Conditions
10. Privacy Statement
Technical Requirements• Internet Connection• Software• Substantive Forms• Interactive Platform• E-commerce• Disclaimers/Opt Ins• IP protection
Hot Docs
Legal DocX
Doc Forge
Intelex
SCENARIO
• PC attends a consultation and you advise her she needs to file for divorce.
• You provide her a follow up email with your notes and all of her options including….
– Full Scope Traditional representation and a fee agreement
– Limited Scope Drafting for a Petition for dissolution and perhaps a motion for temporary orders
– Instructions on where to find self help forms….including your site.
Hi Amy,
It was great talking with you. Attached are the options we talked about for moving forward
and my notes from our conversation. If you decide you want us to handle everything
please read the attached advanced fee agreement carefully and let me know if you have
any questions about it.
If you would like us to draft the documents for you and proceed in a “limited scope”
manner, we will enter into a flat fee agreement for the drafting services only. Those terms
are also attached.
Finally, I know you indicated that finances are tight. As we discussed I have developed a
separate business to provide legal forms for self representing clients. In the event you wish
to represent yourself, you can find the forms we discussed here. This is a company that I
own separately from the law firm\and use of the forms does not create an attorney client
relationship between us. You may wish to consult with other family law attorneys prior to
determining whether self representation, and use of my legal forms is the way you desire
to move forward.
Let me know if you have any questions at all.
Billie
Document Automation in the CloudVIRTUAL LAWYERING ON STEROIDS
Thank you!
Email: billie@MyModernLaw.com
Website: MyModernLaw.com
Linked In: Billie Tarascio
Twitter: #ModernLaw
CONTACT
INFO
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