Law Society of New Zealand Aotearoa has accepted in principle the proposal for an independent regulator. This proposal comes from the independent Review Report carried out recently into the future structure of regulation in New Zealand. The primary recommendation from the review was the creation of an independent regulator, as the current structure of regulation…
National Bar Association survey finds black female lawyers in the US continue to experience high rates of discrimination
A National Bar Association (NBA) survey finds black women lawyers continue to experience high rates of discrimination and bias. During 2022, 163 members of the NBA WLD and other Black women’s legal organizations were surveyed. The survey found that 70% of Black women lawyers had experienced or witnessed discrimination and bias in the workplace. The…
The Law Society of Scotland continues work on regulatory regime for Licensed Legal Service Providers
The Law Society of Scotland has provided an update on the status of licensed legal services providers. Traditionally legal practices can only be owned by lawyers holding a practice certificate, these new Legal Service Providers can be owned by non-lawyers, though they still need to be majority (51%) owned by solicitors or members of specified…
How do lawyers engineer and develop legaltech projects?: A story of opportunities, platforms, creative rationalities, and strategies
Dubois, C. (2021). How do lawyers engineer and develop legaltech projects?: A story of opportunities, platforms, creative rationalities, and strategies. Law, Technology and Humans, 3(1), 68-81. Over the last 15 years, the working context of lawyers has undergone many changes. Evolving in an increasingly competitive, deregulated, and globalized market, they are subject to higher tax pressure while…
To be a good lawyer, one has to be a healthy lawyer
Lawson, N. D. (2021). ” To Be a Good Lawyer, One Has to Be a Healthy Lawyer”: Lawyer Well-Being, Discrimination, and Discretionary Systems of Discipline. Geo. J. Legal Ethics, 34, 65. In 2017, a National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being comprised mostly of representatives from lawyer assistance programs (LAPs) issued a report recommending “modify[ing] the rules of…
To Be a Good Lawyer, One Has to Be a Healthy Lawyer
Lawson, N. D. (2021). ” To Be a Good Lawyer, One Has to Be a Healthy Lawyer”: Lawyer Well-Being, Discrimination, and Discretionary Systems of Discipline. Geo. J. Legal Ethics, 34, 65. In 2017, a National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being comprised mostly of representatives from lawyer assistance programs (LAPs) issued a report recommending “modify[ing] the rules of…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority issues a thematic review of the use of Non Disclosure Agreements in workplace complaints
The SRA has released a thematic review that discusses the use of Non Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in workplace complaints. The review recognizes the legitimate place NDAs have in agreements to protect commercial interests, reputation, and confidentiality. The key findings of the review found that generally most NDAs between employers and employees complied with the requirements…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published an anti-money laundering and terrorism financing risk assessment for the legal industry
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published an anti-money laundering and terrorism financing risk assessment. The report aims to assess the risks associated with money laundering and terrorist financing in different sectors. The report provides an overview of the risks associated with different sectors, including banking, insurance, and securities. It also provides information on the regulatory…
The American Bar Association has published a third draft discussion paper on amendments to lawyers’ client due diligence
The American Bar Association have published a Discussion Draft of possible amendments to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. The Standing Committees on Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Professional Regulation have developed this draft to address lawyers’ client due diligence obligations. The previous two discussion papers have focused on Model Rule 1.2(d) (Scope of Representation…
IAALS Publishes Report on Regulatory Innovation
The IAALS has published a report: Community & Cooperation: Action Steps toward Unlocking Legal Regulation that summarizes discussions held at a meeting in 2022 on regulatory innovation. The report proposes next steps for regulatory innovation and serves as a resource for those interested in improving the regulatory system. The report covers the following topics: The…