The legal profession is a field that is constantly evolving. New technology, new ways to deliver legal services and strategies that weren’t even considered in previous years are being used to benefit clients and help them overcome challenges. One such area of practice is called “new law.” It’s a term that is hard to define but often refers to a different way to approach legal matters.
It can involve working with underserved communities, developing strategies that have never been done before or even offering some type of alternative to standard legal service. It can also encompass using innovative business structures or creating practices that may not fit with a traditional law firm model. In short, it means finding unique approaches that help clients and doing so in a way that benefits the firm.
As such, all firms should have a strategy that includes elements of this concept to ensure they can capitalize on it when possible. This allows them to tap into a new source of revenue and to grow while providing a different service for their client base.
In California, a law has taken effect that requires companies to disclose their salary ranges in job postings. It’s meant to shed light on the issue of gender pay gaps and eliminate what some call a “pink tax.” The law takes effect Jan. 1.
Another new law has been enacted in New York City that expands the city’s privacy and data breach laws. The city will require public agencies to report security breaches that involve private information to the department of consumer and worker protection and to affected individuals. The law also amends a definition of personal information to bring it in line with state law.
This is just a sample of the many new laws that have taken effect in the past month. For a full list, check out the New Law Monitor, which covers both the state and local levels. And be sure to follow us on social media for daily news updates and the latest law-related content from our partners at LexisNexis.