Online attorney directories like Avvo protected under the First Amendment, a federal court held

Posted on by Federica Romanelli
On September 12, 2016, an Illinois District Court ruled that the publication of online attorney directories is fully protected under the First Amendment and does not violate an Illinois law that prohibits the use of someone’s identity for commercial purposes without permission. In this putative class action, Plaintiff alleged that defendant violated the Illinois Right of Publicity Act (“IRPA”), 765 ILCS 1075/1 et seq., by using plaintiff’s identity for commercial purposes without his Read more [...]

North Carolina legislates that providing blank legal documents is not the practice of law but builds in consumer protection

Posted on by Federica Romanelli
On June 30, 2016, Ch. SL 2016-60, an amendment was added to modify North Carolina’s definition of “practice of law” (§ 84-2.2) in order to allow website providers – such as Legal Zoom – to offer interactive legal documents based on consumers’ answers to legal questions. Now the “practice of law” does not include websites offering this type of service, provided that (among other requirements): a licensed North Carolina attorney reviews the blank document; providers communicate Read more [...]