Law new is a term used to describe changing legal services delivery and practice in ways that are beneficial to clients. It may involve embracing technology, focusing on process or creating different fee structures. Often, this means a separate and distinct area of practice within a firm that does not rely on partners or the partner track. It is usually overseen by a separate management team. This is a form of alternative legal service (ALS) and typically offers flexible work arrangements to staffers.
Several new laws have taken effect this month that are designed to benefit legal consumers and create new ways for legal firms to deliver their services. Many of these laws are the result of the legislature passing or vetoing bills, and others were the result of initiatives by governors or mayors. The laws will have varying effects, from those that will affect the daily lives of individuals to those that will change the policy direction of a state or city.
Licensing of third-party food delivery services
This bill would require that certain companies that provide third-party food delivery services in the City obtain a license. It would also repeal a subchapter in the Administrative Code that contains existing laws relating to these businesses.
Disclosure of data breaches
This legislation would require city agencies to disclose to affected individuals when their private identifying information has been accessed, disclosed or otherwise compromised as a result of a cyberattack. The bill also amends provisions in the City’s data breach notification laws to align them with New York State law, and to expand the circumstances in which these types of disclosures must be made.
Protecting privacy in the Internet of Things
This legislative measure would prohibit the collection of personal information from Internet-connected devices without a person’s express consent. It would also prohibit the sale or use of this information for marketing purposes, and prohibit the creation of a “digital dossier” of an individual’s online activity, including the collection of location information from GPS devices.
Providing notice of student loan forgiveness programs
This bill would require the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, in consultation with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, to prepare a notice for city agency employees and job applicants regarding federal and state student loan forgiveness programs. The notice would be provided to city employees and job applicants through the departments of human resources and payroll, and DCWP would make it available for other employers in the City to use in their hiring processes.
A growing number of lawyers, allied legal professionals, and corporations are exploring collaborative solutions to complex business challenges that cannot be solved by any one function or organization alone. This includes collaboration between law firms and in-house legal functions, and with outside counsel; among other things, these processes can include leveraging platform solutions to accelerate and streamline work; implementing collaborative risk mitigation and project management strategies; and using data and collective experience to drive faster, practical and predictable solutions to once “bespoke” legal matters.