(Law360) Dec 6, 2024
Summary: The Washington Supreme Court has approved a pilot program allowing non-lawyer-owned entities to provide legal services under regulated conditions. This initiative aims to enhance access to legal assistance by permitting innovative business models and technologies to operate within the legal sector. The program will run for up to ten years, during which data will be collected to assess its impact on service quality and accessibility.
Jeff’s Take: This is another baby step toward deregulation. Note that this is a 10-year study to gather data on the topic. It seems clear that deregulation will ultimately happen. But, I don’t see this happening on a widespread basis for at least 12 to 15 years from now. The lawyer lobbies are just too powerful.
