Affordable online legal services – let’s hope so…..
http://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2014/08/aba_teams_with_rocke.html
CHICAGO, Aug. 8, 2014 — The American Bar Association and Rocket Lawyer today announced they are teaming up to explore innovative solutions to a vexing legal paradox – the difficulty small businesses face finding affordable legal services at a time when many lawyers would welcome expanded professional opportunities.
Through a pilot program, the nation’s largest association of lawyers and the online legal services provider will collaborate to test new ways to empower lawyers to deliver affordable online legal services to small businesses and the self-employed. The pilot program will be designed to connect the ABA’s network of practicing lawyers to prospective clients through Rocket Lawyer’s cloud-based platform.
“The American Bar Association welcomes the opportunity to explore ways to expand legal services to those who need a lawyer’s counsel but are not currently being served for reasons ranging from affordability to ease of access,” said ABA President James R. Silkenat. “We look forward to working with Rocket Lawyer on this pilot program to identify ways for our members to serve more clients while remaining faithful to the legal profession’s high standards of ethics and professionalism.”
Rocket Lawyer Founder and CEO Charley Moore describes the agreement as a pioneering effort to democratize access to legal counsel using technology: “At its best, our legal system encourages innovation and facilitates progress. We applaud the American Bar Association for working with us to find new ways to expand legal representation from qualified attorneys through video and mobile technologies.”
With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is one of the largest voluntary professional membership organizations in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. Follow the latest ABA news at www.ambar.org/news and on Twitter @ABANews.
Founded in 2008, Rocket Lawyer strives to make the law affordable and simple for everyone. With financial backing and technical support from Google Ventures and its other partners, Rocket Lawyer has developed a cloud-based platform connecting millions of people with the legal help they need, at a fraction of the traditional cost. Using simple Q&A interviews, as well as live consultations with attorneys on their mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers, small business owners, self-employed individuals and consumers can now manage a wide variety of legal situations with relative ease. Follow the latest Rocket Lawyers news on Twitter @RocketLawyer.
