So Professor Fodden COINCIDENTALLY decided to write a blog on Slaw YESTERDAY that discussed a PH.D. thesis from 2007 by Christine Vanda Burns called “Online Legal Services – A Revolution that Failed?“  It’s going to take me a little while to go through this thesis (it’s 729 pages!). But, as Professor Fodden points out in his blog, the big problem is the acquisition and packaging of legal services (i.e. transferring knowledge).  For lawyers, their time can be more lucrative by doing what they’ve always been doing: hourly billings.  But that’s about to change…You see, we have just launched (COINCIDENTALLY, 1 day after Professor Fodden blogged about Professor Burns’ article) a revolutionary new product that will do exactly that: LEGAL FORMS + VIDEO GUIDES.  We have essentially packaged legal knowledge and documents for sale to the masses that can be digestible, interacted with, and which provide effective learning.  All at a fraction of the price a lawyer would charge…check out the promo video:

written by admin \\ tags: dynamiclawyers.com, legal forms, Michael Carabash, online legal services, video guides

Yours truly was featured in the Lawyers Weekly this past week in an article about lawyers sharing office space.  Lorraine Mallinder spoke to me and another colleague of mine, Toronto Real Estate Lawyer Joel Kadish, about the advantages and disadvantages of sharing office space with other lawyers, as well as our experiences.  Importantly, Lorraine mentioned our soon-to-be-launched Legal Forms + Video Guides project:

Sharing space with a like-minded colleague can get the creative juices going. Carabash and his co-occupant are currently putting together video guides offering legal insights and tips to lay people on everything from small claims forms to power of attorney applications.

Here’s the link to the full article (soon to be a .pdf on Dynamic Lawyers).

written by admin \\ tags: joel kadish, lawyers weekly, legal forms video guides, Michael Carabash, sharing office space, toronto real estate lawyer

So yesterday, I appeared on ThatChannel.com’s Liquid Lunch with Hugh Reilley.  Hugh and co-host Rose interviewed me on all things Dynamic Lawyers.  Here’s the interview in all of its glory:

Part1:

Part 2:

written by admin \\ tags: dynamic lawyers in the news, Michael Carabash, that channel, thatchannel.com

I am pleased to announce that my office is now located on Bay Street (north west corner of Bay and Dundas).  There’s plenty of parking and it’s easily accessible by subway.  I’m setting up the office this week and it’s going to be great!  If you’re looking for a Toronto business lawyer, contact me to set up a consultation.

written by admin \\ tags: Carabash Law, Michael Carabash, new office

Thanks and congratulations go out to Garry Wise and Omar Ha-Redeye for the great feature in Law Pro Magazine’s article entitled “Social Media: What?“  Seems like an article like this was a long-time coming.  The article talks about the various social media tools out there (e.g. facebook, twitter, blogging, linkedin, etc.) in terms of uses, benefits, and limitations.  There’s even a swanky picture of Garry Wise in there.  At the top of page 7, I am referenced along with Omar Ha-Redeye because of Garry’s Blog and OMG! Law Talk:

His blog is another means of “getting the information out there” – in a variety of formats. He often includes video clips, for example, and has just added a video series called OMG! Law
Talk, which features “informal, but often emphatic conversations on legal issues, politics, technology and social media” between Wise and fellow law bloggers Michael Carabash and Omar Ha-Redeye.

Great article and every lawyer should definitely give it a read…

written by admin \\ tags: Dynamic Lawyers, Garry Wise, law pro magazine, Michael Carabash, Omar Ha-Redeye

Wow!  I can’t believe the last time I blogged was almost two months ago…well, for good reason: I just finished writing a draft book on Criminal Records in Canada.   It is set to be published next year.  I researched and wrote the book with the help of good friends who know the industry like the back of their hand.  I knew nothing about criminal records when I started.  But I put my nose to the books and made some phone calls and now the book is basically good to go…I’ll even be offering some insights (through my blog) into this strange and unknown topic that impacts so many people.

Now let me give you a quick update on all things Dynamic Lawyers-related:

We were recently featured in The Voice in Diaspora, another free daily based out of Hamilton.  In this article, I talk about how Dynamic Lawyers is the best way to find a lawyer.

We are working on some VERY BIG stuff for the new year.  It’s been a long-time coming and the time and effort may prove worth it.  I’ll make the announcement as soon as it’s official…but for now…lets just say I’m very excited about the near and long-term future of Dynamic Lawyers

With the book out of the way, I will be going back to blogging, setting up my new downtown office, and practicing more business law.

Feels good to be back…

written by admin \\ tags: criminal records in canada, Dynamic Lawyers, Michael Carabash

It’s that time again!  Following up on the success of episode 1, Garry Wise, Omar Ha-Redeye and myself are pleased to launch OMG Law Talk Episode 2.  We got together in a studio and started talking about topics that interested us, such as: google juice, law firm public relations strategies, getting legal information online,blogging and the election of George Bush, responding to torture, etc.  It’s a kind of different approach to lawyers using videos and social media: it’s not shameless self promotion.  The video has been edited and put together courtesy of the super talented Garry Wise (notable Toronto employment and family law litigator, which Dynamic Lawyers also has a profile report on). Many thanks also go out to popular law student blogger Omar Ha-Redeye, who blogged about OMG! Law Talk – Episode 2 on Law is Cool, and his personal website.  Overall, I think you get a good mix of ideas and dynamics in this discussion (with more to come).  I hope you enjoy it!

written by admin \\ tags: Garry Wise, google juice, law firm public relations strategies, Michael Carabash, Omar Ha-Redeye, omg law talk

With the help of our graphics designer, Paris, we’ve finished and launched our eBook entitled “4 Steps to Online Legal Marketing: For Lawyers.  By Lawyers”.  It’s absolutely FREE so download your copy now.  What’s the eBook talk about?  Well, seeing as how I’ve got a lot to say about online marketing for legal solutions – such as Dynamic Lawyers – I felt I should share my knowledge for the benefit of other lawyers and legal service providers out there.  I explain why you need to work on establishing your web presence NOW and tips and tricks you need to know to do so.  So what are my 4 steps?  Just download the 18-page eBook and find out for yourself!

written by admin \\ tags: 4 steps to online legal marketing, Dynamic Lawyers, DynamicLawyers, Michael Carabash, online marketing for lawyers by lawyers

Dynamic Lawyers is looking for a Kitchener business lawyer to respond to a new public post (i.e. someone is looking for a Kitchener business lawyer to help resolve a contract dispute.  Here is the post. If you are or know a Kitchener business lawyer who does this type of work, please give me a shout at michael@dynamiclawyers.com or sign up here.  Remember: Dynamic Lawyers is currently having a 1 month free trial period for new lawyers who sign up today.  There’s no risk and no obligations!  What are you waiting for?  Register today!

written by admin \\ tags: Dynamic Lawyers, kitchener business lawyer, kitchener lawyers, Michael Carabash

It’s quite amazing to reflect on the similarities between two websites – Dynamic Lawyers and Advicescene – that are trying to enhance access to justice through technology.  Dynamic Lawyers, started by my in November 2008, allows users to post their legal issue(s) a la Craigslist and have Ontario lawyers respond with free information and quotes.   Advicescene, started by Nancy Kinney in March 2009, features an online Canadian legal wiki, a lawyer directory, and online legal forms and other resources.  Here are some similarities:

• Both websites were started recently by individuals in the legal field (I am a Toronto business lawyer and Nancy Kinney has a law degree).
• Both websites leverage social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to promote themselves.
• Both websites have posted their stories on lawbuzz.ca (and created some controversy in the process!).
• Both websites feature videos and free legal information (not advice).
• Both websites have newsletters and links to other online legal resources.
• Both websites have reached out to and been featured in the media.
• Both websites have reached out to and been featured by prominent legal bloggers.
• Both websites will feature lawyer directories.
• And the list goes on…

Based on our respective goals, Nancy Kinney and I have agreed to collaborate and cross-promote our websites towards the greater good – namely, the enhancement of access to justice and the further democratization of the law.  The bottom line is that we’re doing what Richard Susskind wrote about (i.e. leveraging technology to allow people to find lawyers and legal services and share knowledge and information about their experiences).  As per McDonald’s: “I’m loving It!”

written by admin \\ tags: advicescene.com, dynamiclawyers.com, Michael Carabash, nancy kinney, Richard Susskind