The legal industry is about to undergo a fundamental transformation. It will no longer be law firm or in-house department driven; it will be shaped by large legal buyers that have the brand, capital, know-how, customer-centricity, data mastery, tech platforms, agile, multidisciplinary workforces and footprint in/familiarity with the legal industry. These new providers will bring a fresh perspective to the traditional legal landscape by offering scalable, on-demand, fluid, and nimble services that support business objectives and opportunities at the speed of business and society.
This is what we call “law new.” It is the fresh icing on top of a stale cake that will soon replace the status quo. Law new is all about focusing on the right things at the right time to deliver legal help in a different way, resulting in more effective solutions and greater value for clients.
New York City Council
The following bills were passed and adopted at the Thursday, April 12 New York City Council meeting.
New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
This bill would require City agencies to provide notice to their employees and job applicants regarding student loan forgiveness programs. DCWP would also make this information available to other City agencies for their use.
California
This week, state lawmakers and the governor approved a pair of bills that will curb what’s known as the “pink tax,” or the extra charges that retailers put on products marketed to women. Under the legislation, a variety of items that are marketed to women will be required to have the same price as similar products marketed to men. The measures are aimed at closing what advocates have long called a gap in consumer protection laws.
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Georgia
The State Bar of Georgia has created a new resource for the public on its website to help people understand how discrimination and harassment in the workplace can affect a business and what steps can be taken to protect workers and avoid such incidents. The website, which was launched this month, includes a series of videos featuring interviews with attorneys and other members of the business community on what they have seen in their workplaces.
The State Bar is working with other organizations in Georgia to develop a statewide training program on workplace harassment and discrimination, which will be launched later this year. The training will be free of charge and will cover topics including workplace diversity, equal opportunity, and anti-harassment practices. The State Bar will also provide a confidential hotline to which anyone can report instances of harassment or discrimination in the workplace. The State Bar says it will respond to complaints quickly and thoroughly. In addition, the State Bar will offer an online course on workplace harassment and discrimination to educate members of the public about the law.
