LAW 1501 Study Guide - Final Guide: Academic Dishonesty, Legalzoom, Neoliberalism
7 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Melissa Sparrow (a1668063)
1
WEEK 2 FOUNDATIONS SEMINAR 2
How do the services provided by ‘LegalZoom’ differ from, or fit in with, your idea of what
the legal profession does?
• Personal legal documents are made available on the internet and can be reviewed
by someone that you have not had personal contact with
• The charge of only $55 for a will package in New york is very low
• The company deals with legal documents but is not a law firm and it was implicitly
stated that those practicing at the firm are not registered as practicing lawyers
• You can look up the wills of famous people on the internet
• The online questionnaire format that they use does not take into account the fact
that people are not always honest
• When you submit a request for help online lawyers “bid” for the opportunity to
work on your case
What does the existence of the company tell you about the way the legal profession
operates?
• Whilst the legal profession is supposed to be based upon principles of honesty and
integrity, the increasing proliferation of online legal services is diminishing this
because companies like LegalZoom can offer advice without having to take the
same oaths that a practicing lawyer would.
• Law is increasingly becoming victim to the neoliberal push for market-based
mechanisms such as biding for rights to work on a case
In-Class Discussion
• Discussing positives and negatives of online legal services
• What is reasonable- Look at subjective and objective aspects
• At degree conclusion and following the GDLP you have to apply to the board of
examiners to be admitted as a legal practitioner including a statutory declaration
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
