Selling and Processing Law: Legal Work at Franchise Law Firms

Abstract

I explore the work of secretaries and lawyers at one of the most innovative providers of personal legal services in the last 20 years—franchise law firms. I show how the organization of work and the nature of the legal work at two firms has led to the transformation of lawyers into salespeople for mass-produced legal services. While clients may benefit from the convenience of franchise law firms, the attorneys employed by these firms are frustrated by limitations placed on their professional judgments and skills.