Law Times

Law Times • November 28, 2011 NEWS New site allows for online RFPs MyLawBid lets clients post requests for legal services BY KENDYL SEBESTA Law Times I t's not quite eBay for legal services, but an Ontario lawyer has put a unique spin on the concept of access to justice through a web site that matches prospective clients to the most suitable practitio- ners for their needs following a competitive process. Jeff Fung, founder and CEO of the web site mylawbid.com, came up with the idea after he and his wife began searching for an apartment. Th e process of locating a real estate lawyer was more complicated and time consuming than they had imagined, he notes. "We thought there must be an easier way to get informa- tion about lawyers and to reach out to a greater number of law- yers at one time," says Fung. "I thought, we are both lawyers, my wife and I, and if we're hav- ing this much trouble, there must be a need." As a result, Fung launched a web site designed to con- nect legal professionals with potential clients in three steps. "After the user registers, they submit an anonymous request for legal proposal that details their legal issue," says Fung. "Th en, the proposal is sent out to lawyers who practise in the user's area and are registered in the system. Th e lawyers can re- spond and show why they'd be the best choice and what their fees are. Th e user can then go through all the proposals and pick the best one based on what they need." So far, the web site has more than 80 registered lawyers in Ontario and more than 30 reg- istered international law fi rms. It has been particularly useful for lawyers from small towns, according to Fung. "Th e site seems to give law- yers outside major areas like To- ronto better access to clients," he says. "Lawyers from small towns are also able to develop a web presence without having to build a web site, which can be expensive for them to do." Yet one lawyer who uses the service says that because it's rela- tively new, some of the benefi ts like developing new clients will take time to become reality. "At this point, I haven't been on it Perfectbound • Published December each year On subscription $72 P/C 26089 ISSN L88804-559 Multiple copy discounts available Prices subject to change without notice, to applicable taxes and shipping & handling. for very long," says Paul Sa- guil, a lawyer at Stockwoods LLP who's a registered user of the site. "I don't ask my clients how they found out about me when I get cold calls, so I can't say if it has had any impact yet. But I'm sure as the roster builds and word gets out, we'll be able to determine more." Still, Saguil says the web site has promise. "I think this is really at the forefront of technology in terms of the way it's connecting law- yers. It's a more direct way for people to connect. It gives people the resources they need, and I think that's key in increasing their access to justice." Th e idea of using technol- ogy to increase access to jus- tice has surfaced repeatedly in Ontario's legal community dur- ing the last few years. Legal Aid He says this interactivity and responsiveness make his service particularly unique. "Our system lets the two parties negotiate directly and provides people with the most information," he says. "Our premise involves send- ing a request for proposals and provides a platform for that request for the legal proposal process where others don't." MyLawBid is a free service. Fung also plans to expand its off erings in the future to in- clude an even larger online legal community and jobs sec- tion. "My hope is that MyLaw- Bid breaks down the barriers between the public and the 'The site seems to give lawyers outside major areas like Toronto bet- ter access to clients,' says Jeff Fung. Ontario, for example, has intro- duced a toll-free phone service and a new family law web site in partnership with the Ministry of the Attorney General. But Fung's web site is diff erent, of course, in that it allows lawyers to, in a sense, bid on work. justice system and makes it easier for people to connect to the services that they need," he says. "In that way, I hope it's at least one small way of al- leviating the lack of access to justice." PAGE 3 ONTARIO LAWYER'S PHONE BOOK 2012 YOUR MOST COMPLETE DIRECTORY OF ONTARIO LAWYERS, LAW FIRMS, JUDGES AND COURTS With more than 1,400 pages of essential legal references, Ontario Lawyer's Phone Book is your best connection to legal services in Ontario. Subscribers can depend on the credibility, accuracy and currency of this directory year after year. More detail and a wider scope of legal contact information for Ontario than any other source: • More than 26,000 lawyers • More than 9,300 law firms and corporate offices • Includes lists of: • • Federal and provincial judges Federal courts, including a section for federal government departments, boards and commissions • Ontario courts and services, including a section for provincial government ministries, boards and commissions • • The Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario Small claims courts • Miscellaneous services for lawyers Visit canadalawbook.ca or call 1.800.387.5164 for a 30-day no-risk evaluation CANADIAN LAW LIST www.lawtimesnews.com OLPB - 1-2 page 4X.indd 1 11/24/11 10:08 AM Fax and telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, office locations and postal codes

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