In June, the California State Bar proposed modifying existing ethics rules to enable nonlawyers to give legal advice and to allow insurance companies, hedge funds and other businesses to invest in law firms. The purported reason for this dramatic change is to “improve access to justice” and to allow “technology-driven delivery systems to engage in authorized practice of law activities.” It’s unfortunate that the state bar doesn’t see that it is being used as a shill by big business for an ulterior motive—corporate greed.

We should all be alarmed and dismayed. Access to justice is important, and barriers to access should be removed, but this isn’t the way to do it. The California Bar reports that 71% of indigents nationwide have a legal problem, but financial barriers to getting legal advice can be insurmountable. Clearly this is a problem that needs to be fixed. but the proposed ethics rules, designed to protect the public’s interest, are not the solution.

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