Daniel Lublin

The companies that provide forms (such as DynamicLawyers.com, lawdepot.ca, megadox.com here in Canada), all have the same general philosophy; that some people just can't afford a lawyer's services, and by providing forms they are providing them with some level of access to justice.

As pointed out by Sapna Mahboobani, there are varying degrees of online legal services - from forms, to lawyer prepared forms, to online lawyer services. An online lawyer is a service where the client only consults with the lawyer virtually (by email, skype, etc.) Again, the idea for the public is that with an online lawyer there is an expected cost savings. 

But wouldn't the public be better served if the legal industry in Canada moved towards the unbundling of legal services?

Andrew Feldstein asks a pertinent question in a recent video blog:

...why shouldn’t individuals retain lawyers on a limited retainer basis and have them complete the work which they do not want to or are unable to complete on their own?

Could an alternative lawyer-client relationship not help provide access to better justice for those individuals who typically can't afford comprehensive legal services but are in desperate need of help?

Finding the right fit: LawyerLocate.ca

About 15 years ago Natalie Waddell’s marriage was breaking down leading her to call the law society’s lawyer referral service. “The lawyer they recommended wasn’t a good fit. He wanted to litigate for my husband’s future earnings. I wanted an amicable split,” Waddell recalls. The experience left her thinking there must be a better way to match clients with lawyers.

So Waddell founded Lawyer Locate Inc. Since launching her website www.lawyerlocate.ca in 2002, the service has processed more than 83,857 referrals from individuals and businesses around the world to lawyers across Canada.

Potential clients can visit the website, search for a lawyer by practice area and geographic location, read detailed bios of each lawyer and contact them directly or they can call a 1-800 number for assistance in finding a lawyer.

“We make it easy for both lawyers and clients.”

“Unlike law societies’ referral services, we don’t require lawyers to give a half-hour free consultation or file a report with the law society after each consultation. We make it easy for both lawyers and clients.”

Lawyer Locate Inc. currently has 579 lawyers as members, who pay from $62.50 to $75, every month, depending on their membership plan. The service processes an average of 250 to 300 referrals per week and the website had 1.5 million page views last year. Beyond providing lawyers with a source of referrals, Lawyer Locate actively promotes members through its integration with social media, FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter and blogs.

The Young Lawyers' Division of the Ontario Bar Association is, once again, throwing a fundraiser in support of the Jays Care Foundation. This year's Summer Social is scheduled for Thursday, July 8 at the Rogers Centre. (a.k.a. The SkyDome, as some of us still like to refer to it as.)

This is a unique way to have fun, support an important cause, while networking and enjoying a major league baseball game.

The Jays Care Foundation has been empowering children and youth in need, inspiring them to make positive choices and helping them realize their dreams by providing access to programs that support physical activity, education, and life-skill development.

You can register online for the Blue Jays Care Fundraiser Social Event.

Julius Melnitzer

The prize, bestowed by the Quebec division of the Canadian Bar Association, is to recognize a member who demonstrates exceptional commitment and continuous involvement of the Quebec branch of the CBA.

Mr. Landry's contribution has been his outstanding commitment to the Citizenship and Charters Program. This program helps secondary students draw a connection between the Charters and their rights and obligations as Canadian citizens. And it helps students develop advocacy skills and gives them an opportunity to interact with lawyers and judges.