We continue our previews of presentations and panels at the upcoming CodeX FutureLaw Conference, which will be held on May 20 at Stanford Law School. At 11:20, Edward “Eddie” Hartman, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at LegalZoom, will offer an “Introduction to the U.K.’s Alternative Business Structure.”

“The U.K. Legal Services Act of 2007 allows nonlawyers to hold ownership and management positions in law firms and allows for the creation of multidisciplinary practices. As of 2012, the U.K. rule provides for a new kind of legal company, referred to as an alternative business structure,” explains the conference agenda.

FutureLaw: U.K. Options
Edward Hartman

 

Hartman will discuss how LegalZoon created its ABS, and how the structure  sets the stage for advancements in legal tech and delivery of legal services.

LegalZoom was launched in 1999; Hartman build the digital presence and technical infrastructure; led new product development, R&D and testing; and created an attorney services division, he notes on his Linkedin profile. He also created the U.K operation in partnership with QualitySolicitors, and opened an “Innovation Center” in Mountain View, Calif. Hartman is based in Menlo Park, Calif.

Hartman previously was the Chief Technology Officer at Troon, which was acquired by Xceed International. He worked for Xceed for two years as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Technology.

Hartman also is a lecturer at his alma mater, Yale University, where he earned a BS and BA (computer science). He earned his MBA at the University of Pennsylvania (The Wharton School) where he was the Palmer Scholar.  He is the Director of the Brent Shapiro Foundation, which addresses awareness to the disease model of addiction.

Hartman is a member of the California bar. “I did the ‘Abraham Lincoln’ method—no law school for me!,” he said. (California allows candidates to study with a lawyer.)

PREVIEW LINKS
9 a.m. introductions and welcomes by SLS Dean Elizabeth Magill and CodeX Executive Director Roland Vogl.

9:15 a.m.: “FutureLaw: Don’t Be Late” Keynote: James Sandman.
10:15 a.m.: “FutureLaw: Watson & Beyond

CodeX FutureLaw 2016 Countdown #1

 

FUTURELAW LINKS
For more info about the May 20 CodeX FutureLaw Conference check out these sites:
•  FutureLaw Conference 2016
•  Registration
•  Agenda
•  Speakers
•  Location & Parking

Monica Bay is a Fellow at CodeX and a freelance journalist and analyst. She is a member of the California bar. Email: mbay@codex.stanford.edu. Twitter: @MonicaBay.