Legal ethics rules reflect an institutional bias against change. But while these rules evolve at a Darwinian pace, the Internet gene-splices our future. Early Paternalism During the Industrial Revolution, there were vast class distinctions and educational differences between the legal community and the general public not just in white-wigged England but here in America too. He and Steve Elias establish Nolo Press, a leading publisher of self-help law books. The year 1977 brings us Bates v. State Bar of Arizona .
Regulators begrudgingly bring their rules into compliance.
Enter the 1990s. Like the printing press, which eventually led to the Reformation and widespread education, the Internet will spur its own revolution democratization and disintermediation of information, unbundling of services, and, ultimately, disintermediation of goods and services. Finally, a near-level playing field between lawyer and layman. No fancy education or training is necessary to access the estimated 100-million Internet pages. The public now has access to almost the same resources as the legal community, and lawyers are posting materials written for laymen.