Whether it’s a law firm’s strategy or the approach it takes to serve clients, lawyers are always looking for ways to bring new value to their practice. One of the best ways to do that is by embracing a legal industry trend called “law new.” This concept is typically defined as a niche area of practice for a law firm that focuses on alternative services provided outside traditional offices and does not use traditional staffing and fee structures.
State laws can take effect at any time of the year, but January is a common month for new enforcement to begin. The fresh batch of 2023 laws that went into effect this month ranges from quirky to serious, with many addressing issues currently dominating the nation’s discourse.
A few of the highlights include a Missouri law that makes it a misdemeanor to sleep or camp on state-owned land, while a law in North Carolina will require more than just the governor’s signature for a state of emergency to be extended past 30 days. In New York City, a law will require third-party food delivery services to be licensed and would repeal the subchapter in the Administrative Code that contains existing laws regulating those businesses.
The law in New York City will also require city agencies to provide employees and job applicants with notice regarding student loan forgiveness programs, while an amendment to the SHIELD Act will increase the definitions of personal information to be disclosed in cases of data breaches.
As these examples demonstrate, law new is a field that all legal firms should be aware of, though its practical applications can vary greatly from practice to practice. It’s important for all law firm leaders to understand how this unique legal industry trend works, as a well-thought-out plan to harness it can help any legal business deliver the valuable services that its clients need and want.
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