Law is a fast-changing field. What worked in one quarter may not work the next. Firms must always be on the lookout for new ideas to help them keep up with the competition. One such idea is called “new law.” It’s about finding ways to offer legal services in completely different and innovative ways.
For example, a new law might involve using virtual reality to explain legal concepts to clients. Or it might be about working with underserved communities to provide legal assistance in a way that would not be available otherwise. And it might be about offering these services to clients at a price that is less than traditional law firm rates.
While “new law” is a fairly new concept, it’s already having an impact on the practice of law. It’s becoming a focus for many firms who want to make sure they are offering the best possible service to their clients. It’s about coming up with strategies that will not only help them compete better with other law firms but also improve client satisfaction in a way that has not been available before.
It’s also about thinking in terms of strategy rather than just cutting costs and cutting staff. In other words, it’s about finding ways to unlock potential and offer the kind of help that many people need without putting pressure on other areas of the practice that might not be as well-suited to the new methods.
A key issue is how to handle privacy issues. Some of these new approaches could require agencies to disclose private information in the event of a data breach that threatens individuals’ safety or well-being. In other cases, it might mean deleting certain kinds of identifying details from records that are made available to the public.
In some cases, it might also mean withholding the identities of persons who are arrested or booked for a crime unless such information is necessary to serve a specific law enforcement purpose. The committee on open government may promulgate guidelines on these issues.
New York law and rules
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