10/15/2021 | Press release | Archived content
CHICAGO, Oct. 15, 2021 - With regulatory innovation efforts spreading throughout the country, the American Bar Association will join two national partners on Oct. 20 in the third Redesigning Legal Speaker Series to explore whether the current ABA Model Rule 5.5, which addresses the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) by lawyers, continues to serve its intended purpose.
What: Redesigning Legal: Lawyer UPL - Has It Jumped the Shark?"
When: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 1-2 p.m. EDT
Where: Online
In the past, protecting the public has been the stated justification for strict jurisdictional licensing and regulation of lawyers. Yet, in the country's multi-jurisdictional and increasingly remote practice environment, lawyers who innovate and their clients may find themselves more frequently put in the crosshairs of the existing regulatory framework. In addition, boundaries set by current Model Rule 5.5 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct on permissible multijurisdictional practice has implications for access to legal services in, for example, legal deserts - geographic areas where there are few, if any lawyers.
In the upcoming program, panelists will explore whether it is time for another evolution of Model Rule 5.5 . The participants are:
Launched in June, the Redesigning Legal Speaker Series features legal industry leaders and experts who offer a variety of perspectives and break down common assumptions and misunderstandings, as well as provide information on the nature and scope of the access to justice challenges and barriers to sustainable legal access. Other series co-sponsors are the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver (IAALS) and Legal Hackers, in addition to support from three ABA entities: the Center for Innovation, Center for Professional Responsibility and the Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services.
Registration is free but required in advance by clicking here. Media who would like to attend this virtual event are asked to email Kelsey Montague at IAALS at [email protected] or Bill Choyke at the ABA at [email protected].
About the sponsors:
The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. View our privacy statement online. Follow the latest ABA news at www.americanbar.org/news and on Twitter @ABANews).
IAALS is a national, independent research center dedicated to facilitating continuous improvement and advancing excellence in the American legal system. Our mission is to forge innovative and practical solutions to problems within the American legal system.
Legal Hackers is a global movement of lawyers, policymakers, designers, technologists and academics who explore and develop creative solutions to some of the most pressing issues at the intersection of law and technology. Through local meetups, hackathons and workshops, Legal Hackers spot issues and opportunities where technology can improve and inform the practice of law and where law, legal practice and policy can adapt to rapidly changing technology.