Comments on: To Win the Hearts and Minds of Consumers, Lawyers Need to Sell, Not Sue

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By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 02:59:56 +0000

Customers need to be informed and ensure they are going to a place that is legally operating first. In California, this requires compliance with Business and Professions Code 6400-6415. Legitimate Legal Document Assistants (as they are called in California) are not a threat or competitor to Lawyers but actually give a useful benefit as properly prepared documents don't bog down the court and allow better access to the legal system for the public. Per the governing law, if an LDA believes someone needs legal advice or representation, i.e. to talk to a lawyer, they are required to direct them to do so.

The real problem is companies illegally operating, which is bad for everyone, and those doing an incredibly bad job (LegalZoom), which you have some of in every profession.

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By: Clinton Hooker

Clinton Hooker — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:38:40 +0000

I reviewed a Revocable Living Trust by LegalZoom and found it very lacking. It did help avoid probate if the person were to fund their own trust, which I put that burden on the person who used LegalZoom. What I did not like about the service was how little benefit they received from their trust: no asset protection, no generation skipping transfer tax benefit, no special needs trust language and no see-through trust language. Like what others have said is LegalZoom overcharges to a degree and it overstates what attorneys actually charge in the real world. I also did not like how LegalZoom tries to get around the legal advice issue by providing as a form of guidance percentages on how others had answered the same question. Instead of complaining, I started my own version of LegalZoom in Colorado, as an attorney, but only for estate planning.

By: Paul Godfread

Paul Godfread — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:13:31 +0000

Great article. I tested LegalZoom for trademark registrations to see what they offer for $179. I typically charge about $500 for the initial application and with that provide counseling and advice about trademark usage and protection.
After trying LegalZoom, I can say they really aren’t practicing law and they are overcharging for what they offer. Not only do they charge you more for the filing fees than the USPTO does, they really only guide you through the USPTO’s own form. So, $179-300 plus a little extra on the filing fees for what exactly? I am not sure that an average user would gain anything over just filing at the USPTO website directly. Certainly no advice about what to do with your registered mark.
Not only do they upsell on additional services (some of which might be UPL), they also stated that an average attorney would charge about $2000 for the same service. Now I know I am cheap because I am a solo, so I asked other trademark attorneys and only a few biglaw attorneys were over $1500. Most solos were well under $1000. I don’t know where they get their averages.
If only people knew how little LegalZoom is offering.

By: Kevin Caiaccio

Kevin Caiaccio — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:03:37 +0000

I agree with the points you make in your post and don’t feel that I’m losing any quality clients to LegalZoom. If the consumer doesn’t want to pay for the advice of an atty, they get what they pay for. It’s a little like insurance: some people would rather pay a small premium for very little coverage and others would rather pay and be covered. And in some cases, maybe the former approach is OK.

By: Luke Enno

Luke Enno — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:27:25 +0000

A very well-written article on a number of levels. One of the key challenges in the legal profession is offering value-added service to the client while still providing a fair and reasonable price. Many people are afraid of lawyers because of the perception that they are going to overcharge them else charge them an unfair rate for the relative amount of work that is done. A trained monkey can crank out a form such as a Will.
The real value of a lawyer in an estate planning context for example, is to help the client see the whole picture and educate them on a practical level that they can relate to and understand. Hopefully, the perception of stuffy emotionless lawyers will then melt away and change to a paradigm of approachable attorneys who have their client’s interests first at heart.

By: Todd Gallinger

Todd Gallinger — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:30:53 +0000

My problem with websites like LegalZoom is that consumers savvy enough to figure out their own legal issues and most of the times savvy enough to find the information about how to do it for free. Those who end up using the paid services like LegalZoom will not follow through on properly funding a trust, or having an operating agreement for their LLC, or filing an S-Corp Election or application for Non-Profit Status. As primarily a transactional lawyer, working with small companies and start-ups, each month I come across one or two clients who’ve used LegalZoom to their detriment, and they often have to pay additional legal fees to clean up the mess in addition to what would have been necessary in the first place.

By: Susan Cartier Liebel

Susan Cartier Liebel — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:53:18 +0000

Interestingly, I decided to test out LegalZoom myself several months ago. First, their prices were higher than several experienced and reputable solos charged. Second, they upsell for services the lawyer would have included as a matter of due diligence. Third, I never followed through and they consistently bombard me with e-mails.
There is much to be said for educating the consumer, not suing, because it does send the message lawyers are fearful. The committed DiYers will never hire lawyers first. Good is good enough for them and quite often they will outsmart themselves with their frugality. Those on the fence can definitely be convinced because most do want to deal with a human being they can hold accountable, relate to and who will appreciate their issues.