In a time when technology has forever changed how we live, work and play, it’s no surprise that law is being affected in significant ways as well. New laws are being passed, old ones repealed and a whole host of legal issues that need to be resolved are emerging. The way lawyers practice is evolving, and it’s changing fast. In fact, many legal professionals have already embraced the idea of a “New Law” and are finding themselves on a different path from traditional lawyers.
The term “New Law” is loosely defined and often referred to as a group of technologies, companies and startup law firms that are augmenting or disrupting the legal services industry by providing alternative products and innovative solutions for clients. Some have even created their own brand, logo and website to differentiate themselves from the competition. The New Law movement is a trend that’s been building for some time and will likely continue to grow in the coming years as the need for innovation grows, technological advancements are implemented and new generations of legal professionals enter the workforce.
New laws are being passed by state legislatures and Congress, as well as governing bodies of local governments, corporations and nonprofit organizations. A new law may be a statute, regulation, executive order or ordinance. It’s a rule or guide that governs behavior within a society or country and can be amended, repealed or added to at any time.
A bill is the primary mechanism for creating new laws in Congress. Once a bill is introduced, it goes through a process of research, discussion and changes in committee before being brought before the House or Senate for voting. A final committee report is then written, which outlines precisely what the bill will accomplish in a section-by-section analysis. If a bill passes one chamber of Congress, it then moves to the other for a similar process.
The government must make public records available for inspection and copying unless they fall into certain categories that require confidentiality, such as an investigation of a crime or a record that contains identifying details about someone who has been arrested or detained. However, an agency may publish guidelines to prevent the unwarranted invasion of personal privacy when making records available. The guidelines should include provisions for deleting any identifying details when making the records available. The public has a right to know how their government works, and the people should have access to information about governmental decision-making.