Not all legal tech or service providers are jumping at the opportunity to join a “regulatory sandbox.” While the ability for a nonlawyer to own a law firm or provide some legal services is still limited to Utah and Arizona, a small market isn’t the only consideration hindering vendors’ participation. Their hesitation can stem from a sandbox’s short time frame that doesn’t provide vendors enough time to set up services and gain clients. 

But as local supreme courts publicly and quietly watch Utah’s experimentation, states are also taking note of Utah’s recent expansion of its regulatory sandbox. Announced in late April, the Utah Supreme Court expanded its two-year regulatory sandbox program to seven years. “The court’s objectives for regulatory reform are significant and need sufficient time to truly work and create real change in the legal services market in Utah,” noted Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Durrant in a press release announcing the extension.