According to the recent article, “Legal Fees Cross New Mark: $1,500 An Hour” in the Wall Street Journal, the day of the $1,500-an-hour lawyer has arrived. Law firms are now charging whatever the market can bear. So, how can people still obtain quality legal representation in this environment of skyrocketing fees and overwhelmed public defenders?
According to the American Bar Association:
- 71% of consumers surveyed experienced a legal issue within the past year.
- Less than half (45%) of those consumers actually hired an attorney.
- The expense of hiring an attorney was seen as the biggest barrier to secure legal help.
According to noted Stanford law professor Deborah Rhode:
- 80% of the civil legal needs of the poor, and 40-60% of the needs of middle-income individuals, remain unmet.
- Government legal aid and criminal defense budgets are capped, making effective legal assistance impossible for most low-income litigants.
It shouldn’t be this way. Americans need equal access to justice. And thanks to our founder, Harland Stonecipher, over 1,500,000 households have legal protection any time they need it.
HOW LEGALSHIELD WAS BORN
On July 11, 1969, our former CEO and founder Harland C. Stonecipher of Ada, Oklahoma was involved in a motor vehicle accident and was hospitalized. Although the other party was cited for fault, they filed a lawsuit against him for the accident. Mr. Stonecipher found himself financially unprepared for the legal costs he incurred, and depleted his life savings. From that day forward, he was determined to make sure everyone had access to legal protection.
WHY WE STARTED
We wanted to level the playing field. Legal issues can mean trouble for anyone. Now, no matter who you are or how much money you have, LegalShield can help with a range of legal services.
WHAT WE BELIEVE IN
We believe that by educating, protecting and serving our members, we can improve their lives dramatically. With a law firm by your side, you can truly worry less and live more.
WE CHOOSE THE BEST
We’re proud to have high standards. We partner with provider law firms across the United States and Canada with specialists in any issue you can think of.
YOUR LEGALSHIELD MEMBERSHIP
Become a LegalShield member and you’re just a phone call away from an established law firm always ready to help you. No legal issue is too big or too small.
Please call me if you have any questions or require additional information. I would love to meet with you!