1. What is
the Consumer Law
Revolution?
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

2. Empowered Consumers
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

3. Branded Networks
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

4. Online Marketing Tools
• Q&A sites, Forums
• Online profiles
• Hosting and sharing content
• Online brand building
• Secure online communication
space
• Video conferencing tools
• Document automation and assembly systems and document
libraries
• Expert systems to advise decision making
• Matching services to connect the user to a consumer
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

5. From placeholders to
conversations
• Online marketing tools are a part of
the online conversation around legal
services.
• Integrated with social media these
tools expand the engagement.
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

6. Benefits for Lawyers
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

7. What about the risk?
 Clients seeking online legal
services will find and retain an
online offering regardless.
 Lawyers working with branded
networks online may provide a
safer, higher quality alternative.
Like any chosen law practice management tool or
advertising method, the attorney has the responsibility
to research and understand the risks and to mitigate
them appropriately.
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

8. Benefits for the Public
Delivery Options Increase =
Access Increases
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

9. Benefits for Innovators
• Association with practitioners
• Untapped market for online, personal legal
services
• An industry ripe for disruption
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

10. Barriers Exist
• Lawyer Rules
– UPL
– Rule 7.2 (b)
– Rule 5.3 – Supervision of Non-Lawyer
Assistance
– Rule 5.4 – Fee Sharing/Professional
Independence of the Lawyer
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

11. Prepare for another Backlash
• State Bar Monopoly on Referrals
• Protectionists
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

12. Progress
• Unbundling resolution passes
ABA Model Rule 1.2(c) “A lawyer
may limit the scope of the
representation if the limitation is
reasonable under the
circumstances.
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

13. Future Study:
Why does the legal profession
have people
of limited and modest means
needing legal services
at the same time
we have out of work and
under-employed lawyers?
– How does the legal profession defy the laws of supply and
demand?
– Multidisciplinary
– First Amendment Arguments (c) 2013
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright

14. Re-evaluate Assumptions
• In a digital environment where there is a wealth of
free content, what is misleading and what is
solicitation?
•Is it possible for regulators to
interpret rules that will take into
consideration lawyers’ collaboration
with branded networks?
•Should lawyers be regulated as
service providers rather than
professionals? Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

15. Healthy Competition
Forces lawyers to
tighten
the value they provide
to clients
and be more flexible in
using alternative and
complementary
delivery methods.
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

16. Focus on Best Practices For
Working With Branded Networks
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

17. Future innovations in the delivery of
legal services will include more applications to
allow the public
to directly interact
with a lawyer online.
Where are we?
 How will lawyers work with branded
networks as part of a marketing strategy?
 Will lawyers unbundle legal services online?
 Will lawyers learn best practices for using online marketing tools and
delivering services online?
 Is this a first step towards greater acceptance of ABS in the States?
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013

18. Innovation in the delivery of legal services
online is finally speeding up.
Not working with branded networks decreases needed
access to justice.
Not including branded networks as part of the lawyer’s
online marketing strategy
is bad business.
Stephanie L. Kimbro - Copyright (c) 2013