Here come the Americans as Rocket Lawyer starts recruiting law firms

Edwards: proven track record in attracting new customers online

Rocket Lawyer, the Google-Ventures backed online legal document service, has today launched its On Call programme into the UK, the first step towards the much-anticipated website going live to the public at the end of the year, Legal Futures can report.

On Call is a panel of lawyers from whom Rocket Lawyer users can seek help if they feel they need legal advice. It is free to join but firms have to abide by service standards and discount their fees by a third. Only two or three firms per region of the UK will be able to join.

Mark Edwards, Rocket Lawyer’s UK corporate vice-president and general manager, said On Call introduces law firms to a new way of doing business, as well as new customers. “Rocket lawyer has a proven track record in attracting new customers online. By investing heavily into advertising and marketing, Rocket Lawyer will generate a steady stream of new business for law firms.”

Mr Edwards argued that it is difficult for law firms to make the most of the Internet to attract new customers. “We’ve taken this in hand, and with our comprehensive marketing programme, consisting of paid search, retargeting, SEO, PR, social and broadcast media, we will attract thousands of individuals and businesses to use our online services, as well as the support of Rocket Lawyer On Call.”

Sheffield law firm Simpson Sissons & Brooke has already become an On Call member. Partner Jeremy Brooke said: “I firmly believe that we need to make legal advice easy to access, understandable and straightforward; that’s why I approached Rocket Lawyer to become an On Call member.

“Rocket Lawyer has had great success already in the US, helping people to help themselves; directing them to a friendly lawyer when they need further help… Our referrals from Rocket Lawyer are free; all we have to do is pass on a saving to Rocket Lawyer members, so it’s win-win for everybody.”

By Legal Futures

Tags: Online Legal Services

Legal Futures Blog

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Cracking the non-PI consumer legal market could be the biggest prize yet. So why, asks Simon Goldhill of Legal Futures Associate Simon Goldhill Consultancy, is everyone looking the other way?
Law is big business. According to the latest government figures, the UK market generates over £26bn per annum. Recent analyses suggest that just under half of that comes from the business and commercial sector. Of the rest, £3.5bn relates to personal injury (PI) and £1.5bn to crime. That means that the non-PI consumer legal market in the UK is worth around £8bn per annum. This is equivalent to the entire 2012 turnover of the UK’s creative, arts and entertainment services industry.

May 21st, 2013

Here come the Americans as Rocket Lawyer starts recruiting law firms