Lawyers. Most people don’t like them. Hell, even some lawyers don’t like lawyers. But as much as we love to hate them, we still need them occasionally.
When it comes time to get a divorce, fight a lawsuit, or create a will, you want the meanest, toughest, most badass lawyer you can find in your corner. You want them to fight for you like a mama bear protecting her cubs.
But finding the right lawyer is hard. There are so many options that all seem the same—overpriced and intimidating.
That’s where alternative business structures come in. Keep reading to find out what is an alternative business structure and why you should care.
An alternative business structure (ABS) is a different way of providing legal services outside of the traditional law firm model.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences between an ABS and a traditional law firm:
The main goal of an ABS is to improve access to legal services by offering greater convenience, transparency, and affordability.
Alternative business structures first emerged in Australia in the 1990s as a way to reform the legal services market. The UK was next to adopt ABS legislation in 2007 with the Legal Services Act.
Canada jumped on the ABS train in 2015. Several provinces have enacted legislation allowing for limited non-lawyer ownership of law firms.
The movement keeps gaining steam as more consumers and investors recognize the need for innovation in the legal industry.
As a consumer of legal services, you should care about ABS companies for a few key reasons:
Opening up the legal market to new models and non-lawyer investors increases competition. More competition generally leads to lower prices, higher quality, and better customer service as companies fight for your business.
Traditional law firms have little incentive to rock the boat. An ABS shakes up the status quo.
One of the biggest complaints about lawyers is the dreaded billable hour. You never know the final tab, which makes budgeting difficult.
Many ABS companies offer fixed or flat fee pricing for certain services, so you know exactly what to expect. No billing surprises.
Let’s say you want to finish your will but also need financial planning advice. Or you need legal advice on a business merger and help preparing the financial statements.
Rather than coordinating between several professional firms, you can do it all under one roof at an ABS.
ABS companies are more innovative in using technology to deliver legal services. It can include online portals, document automation, and machine learning.
The result is more convenient and affordable service.
Here are a few examples of successful alternative business structure companies:
The ABS movement shows no signs of slowing down. Here are two key trends to look out for:
Some critics argue ABS companies prioritize profits over quality service. There are also concerns about conflicts of interest when non-lawyers own and manage law firms. However, proper regulation can help mitigate these risks.
Research shows ABS companies are able to offer services at a lower cost than traditional firms in many cases. However, you need to compare specific pricing for your needs. An ABS won’t always be the cheapest option.
Alternative business structures aim to make legal services more accessible and affordable for the average Joe. As both a consumer and investor, you should pay attention to how this trend unfolds.
The legal industry is long overdue for a shakeup. Increased competition and innovation will ultimately benefit those who need these services the most.
It’s about time the lawyers get taken down a notch or two, don’t you think?
So, the next time you’re looking for legal help, don’t limit yourself to traditional law firms. See if an ABS provider can offer what you need at a better price.
Your wallet will thank you.
Up until working with Casey, we had only had poor to mediocre experiences outsourcing work to agencies. Casey & the team at CJ&CO are the exception to the rule.
Communication was beyond great, his understanding of our vision was phenomenal, and instead of needing babysitting like the other agencies we worked with, he was not only completely dependable but also gave us sound suggestions on how to get better results, at the risk of us not needing him for the initial job we requested (absolute gem).
This has truly been the first time we worked with someone outside of our business that quickly grasped our vision, and that I could completely forget about and would still deliver above expectations.
I honestly can't wait to work in many more projects together!
Disclaimer
*The information this blog provides is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or professional advice. The information may not reflect current developments and may be changed or updated without notice. Any opinions expressed on this blog are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s employer or any other organization. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this blog without first seeking the advice of a professional. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this blog. The author and affiliated parties assume no liability for any errors or omissions.
