A group of leading independent firms are pioneering online legal service delivery following an exclusive deal between the LawNet network and Epoq’s DirectLaw online document automation.
Independent law firm network and online specialists tie the knot
A group of leading independent firms are pioneering online legal service delivery following an exclusive deal between the LawNet network and Epoq’s DirectLaw online document automation.
Under the agreement, each of the 68 LawNet member firms will be able to deliver online legal services to clients through their own personalised portal, designed and integrated with each firm’s individual web site.
The move is designed to help create a new edge to the firms’ traditional service offering, but there’s no plan to down-sell or push customers into DIY, according to LawNet.
“This agreement provides a perfect fit to the ambitions we have to provide members with online marketing and technology-based legal solutions,” explained director of services Helen Hamilton-Shaw.
“It should help firms secure a strong position in online markets as well as delivering internal efficiencies, but we expect the online drafting will be used as an adjunct to their services. For some clients, getting involved in the drafting to cut the cost is appealing, but they are still looking for professional expertise and backup. They want the confidence of knowing there will be an expert and careful eye over anything they do.”
She added: “We are committed to helping our firms keep ahead of the competition through the LawNet national framework which gives them quality accreditation, networking, knowledge sharing and buying group services, and outsourcing is high on the list of where we will be delivering over the coming year.”
Epoq’s executive chairman, Richard Cohen, said: “Creating a successful offering depends on how inbound enquiries are dealt with. Even though our document automation can be used on a self-service basis, clients don’t want to be roaming round the web unaided. This provides a differentiator for firms, a move towards enabling greater involvement by clients if that is what they wish.”
LawNet firms will have access to five libraries of DirectLaw products, covering wills and probate, family, landlord and tenant, employment and business start-up.