It’s SueEasy to Avoid Solicitation Rules
[Guest post by DRJ]
One online website has found a novel way to help potential litigants find the right attorney.
The WSJ Law Blog links to attorney Michael Arrington’s TechCrunch blog regarding SueEasy.com:
“Currently in private beta, think of SueEasy as a reverse Martindale Hubbell — it’s a client directory for lawyers.
TechCrunch predicts it will become a breeding ground for personal-injury lawsuits. Instead of searching for a lawyer, as you would on a new site like Avvo (click here and here), a SueEasy user lists his or her case and the lawyer then finds you. The site handles two major kinds of cases: class-action lawsuits and individual claims. There are sub-categories — DUI/DWI, bankruptcy, asbestos settlements. Plaintiffs list their grievances in these categories and attach any relevant documentation.
Reads the Web site: “Forget the Yellow Pages. Forget the hassles with calling law firms. SueEasy will simplify the process by having lawyers contact YOU! Simply file your grievance with us.”
Only licensed lawyers can log on and review the listings for potential cases. But any user can join a class action. How does the site determine which lawyer gets a particular case? The highest bidder wins, and SueEasy gets the money. TechCrunch points out that the wannabe litigant can pass on the winning lawyer and try another.”
eBay for legal services.
— DRJ
TechCrunch predicts it will become a breeding ground for personal-injury lawsuits.
That is an understatement of the first degree.
Paul (d71395) — 10/19/2007 @ 3:38 pmCANON 2. A Lawyer Should Assist the Legal Profession in Fulfilling its Duty to Make Legal Counsel Available.
nk (6e4f93) — 10/19/2007 @ 4:22 pmCANON 2. A Lawyer Should Assist the Legal Profession in Fulfilling its Duty to Make Legal Counsel Available.
Correct, but I would call this following the letter of the canon vs. the spirit of the canon.
I would love to see Beldar’s thoughts on this, among others.
Paul (d71395) — 10/19/2007 @ 5:58 pmHeh, Paul. I was being ironic. I never advertised and never stood as “bar attorney”. All my business came from referrals from other attorneys and clients. I always talked to the few walk-ins but I don’t thing I ever took one of them. I wonder if I can be disciplined for it.
nk (6e4f93) — 10/19/2007 @ 6:10 pmP.S. I think I could learn a lot from Beldar. He has indicated that he is good at cross-examination. I have always focused at preventing the State from making its case in the first place. Motions to suppress, motions in limine, voir dire of witnesses, objections at every question during its direct …..
nk (6e4f93) — 10/19/2007 @ 6:21 pmI have a problem understanding the ethics of bidding for clients. I guess an argument is that it’s the same as advertising, but is it? In addition, I wonder how much a winning lawyer typically pays for the right to represent a specific client.
DRJ (67ced6) — 10/19/2007 @ 6:37 pmDRJ #6,
No, it’s not the same as advertising. It’s in-person solicitation and possibly barratry in my view.
nk (6e4f93) — 10/19/2007 @ 6:43 pmHere’s the TechCrunch website that describes SueEasy.com as “Ambulance Chasers Have a New Home.”
DRJ (67ced6) — 10/19/2007 @ 6:51 pmWith gasoline at more than $3.00/gallon, virtual ambulance chasing may be an idea whose time has come.
nk (6e4f93) — 10/19/2007 @ 7:04 pmMy ex is a physician. When she was in intern working at the county charity hospital emergency room twenty-some years ago, she’d come home from time to time with grease-soaked business cards from plaintiffs’ personal injury lawyers. The cards came with the stacks of pizzas provided for free by said lawyers to said interns, especially on Friday and Saturday nights (when the ER was most busy).
Ever since, I’ve thought of this type of lawyer as belonging to “the double-pepperoni bar.”
Beldar (369293) — 10/19/2007 @ 9:13 pmThis sounds like sharing the fee with a non-lawyer.
slp (6a36d1) — 10/20/2007 @ 5:33 amJust hire the law firm of BUZZARD,VULTURE,SNAKE,HYNA,and SLUG and sue the world for being so violent
krazy kagu (171210) — 10/20/2007 @ 6:21 am