Wednesday, November 02, 2005

We're not a Law Firm!

... is the disclaimer that every provider of outsourced legal services from India uses. The reason is not hard to find, Yahoo! News article, titled, "India rides outsourcing boom to capture legal work from abroad", quotes a few such firms:

"We are not a law firm though our team comprises of lawyers," the company says on its website. "We do not provide any legal advice or render any legal opinion. Our purpose is to aid and supplement your work."
The distinction is deemed important as clients may not be happy to know that the firm they retain does not do their work.
Also, there are laws in the United States that prohibit legal assistants or paralegals from giving legal advice or representing clients in court as attorneys.


... but we provide a working environment as any top law firm, says Sanjay Kamlani of Pangea3.

Pangea3's Kamlani said that unlike a call center operation, the employees in legal outsourcing firms do not work night shifts, which helps to attract talent.
"During job interviews, we tell candidates you don't do night shifts. But the hours are going to be what they are going to be in a top Indian law firm. And keep your cellphone on because your client may call you at two in the morning," Kamlani said.


In short, LPO firms are doing the work of top law firms, sans the excessive formality, shall we say!

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