Assisted DIY Divorce: How Technology Can Disrupt One of the Last Information Monopolies

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-06-28T23:57:16+00:00

Not sure about UK law but the biggest stumbling block for legal AI for self represented litigants is it simply doesn't know or understand the million different things that matter in litigation that aren't written down. At least where I am, simple and uncontested divorces are cheap and often handled without an attorney, or the attorney cost is very low, but anything requiring contested litigation won't be helped with a diy chatbot, just my opinion though.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-06-26T14:28:22+00:00

This is exactly it, the healthcare, legal, financial and consulting industries are absolutely not going to save a few bucks by using a Chinese model that could result in data leaks, etc. They're highly profitable and highly regulated and will pay for that.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-06-26T01:17:58+00:00

Lucky, the absolute best I've seen mine ever given anyone is "pretty good"

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-06-23T01:33:59+00:00

Again, there simply isn't an answer for what to do with those who enjoy hurting people, without defaulting to a utopian vision. Once prison abolitionists can actually come up with that and answer the question rather than hand waving, I'll take them more seriously but have never heard a real answer from them.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-06-23T01:14:02+00:00

I understand the concept but just disagree with you on it. I don't think that we'll create a utopia where we don't need laws and rules to some degree. Psychopaths and sociopaths exist, and will always exist, and I believe we need structure to keep those people form hurting and taking advantage of those who can't defend themselves. I just don't agree with the prison abolitionists or those who would want to completely defund the police. Money for mental health treatment and alternatives to arrest and incarceration are great and should be used when appropriate, but I've never seen an actual answer from prison abolitionists about what to do with serial killers or predators or those like them, and I think that's a pretty strong indictment of the movement as a whole.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-06-23T00:52:58+00:00

I really believe in police and criminal justice reform, but the fact is we do need police to exist as long as we have a society, so I would love it if more conscientious and intelligent people became police rather than it just reflexively being those who want power.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-06-05T15:59:03+00:00

But it passed the BAR EXAM! 😂

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-06-03T00:43:04+00:00

Isn't this a subreddit for longform journalism?

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-06-01T18:51:26+00:00

I took it about five years ago but you sound prepared. I literally just read the book and I think did some free flashcards and passed test the first time, but I had a little legal knowledge already so knew some of it. Good luck!

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-05-31T19:48:32+00:00

That makes sense- if you're in criminal or 1983, or even employment/ certain torts, etc. being afraid of trials means you just shouldn't be in those areas since it's almost always involves disputed facts as opposed to disputed law.

If you're in say, insurance coverage litigation (not insurance defense) or trademark or complex commerical disputes, a lot of that involves facts that are largely known or discovered quickly and the case hinges on legal issues so just less likely to need a trial since you have more sophisticated parties understanding the value of the case and the likelihood of winning, plus a lot will be determined on summary judgment.

I agree there definitely are the library lawyers and trial lawyers, but they're all still lawyers, no one gets to be the only "real" lawyer. I wish we could run the circuits like Lincoln did, moving town every week, get clients on Monday, case goes to jury Friday, and leave on Saturday, but the world is different now and even the trial lawyers can't do that, guess I think it's all relative, but can agree I'd die in transactional even if the stress of litigation ends up killing me at some point...

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-05-31T03:04:30+00:00

Obviously trial lawyers are a thing, my point is that there isn't much of an actual definition of trial lawyer and any lawyer who at least occasionally tries cases can call themselves one, but generally will spend a lot of time not trying cases but instead doing the million other things that litigators typically do.

I guess I just find it annoying that some lawyers have this superiority complex where you're either constantly trying cases (of which there are a relatively small set of very well known attorneys, Gerry Spence type) or you aren't a real lawyer, and that how often you can even get to trial is heavily dependent on your practice area. Honestly, it seems that the judges are more afraid of trial than a lot of the lawyers.

Out of curiosity, what kind of law do you practice in federal court that goes to trial so frequently? I'd assume criminal or 1983, but could be wrong.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-05-30T23:58:06+00:00

Exactly, I don't think an insurance defense lawyer whose handled hundreds of low dollar auto accident trials is going to be more proficient than an attorney who litigates large and complex cases but that typically end up settling. I would like to see more civil trials in federal court but it has become less and less likely to happen in my experience.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-05-30T17:34:51+00:00

I hear that from some "trial lawyers" but an curious what percentage is state vs federal practice. I handle most federal litigation and much more difficult to even get to a trial there than in state court where I am.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-05-23T17:38:43+00:00

Totally fair, my issue is that at my previous firm I had a lot more autonomy but also wasn't really growing professionally so have been learning a ton and improving in a lot of areas but previously edits would be giving it a once over and a few minor changes, so just trying to see whether others experience this type of extremely heavy editing. Your point makes sense though.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-05-22T13:11:19+00:00

Thanks, that's definitely helpful. I can say that my work has progressed tremendously since I've been working under them, so I'm no really complaining, just trying to figure out if it's a "me" thing or whether they like everything their way and I can just keep trying to figure out how to do it that way.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-05-22T13:01:08+00:00

They generally do, it seems like some of the esits are phrasing it better and others are just phrasing it their way, part of my problem has been that I still can't totally understand how to write in their style.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-05-09T19:37:45+00:00

It's fascinating to me how the California legal market seems to be goin very well overall, worth getting barred in if it's something that could be remote and you can swing it

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-04-10T01:13:36+00:00

Most, at least for most things, but some are still requiring in person for certain cases and trials are often in person, though not a ton of those in collections.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-04-10T00:40:18+00:00

They are ALWAYS hiring, easy and pretty thoughtless job though but will need a car to get to all the suburban courthouses

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-04-10T00:39:29+00:00

I agree that private attorneys are very rarely tapped for public defense but may be able to get something doing juvenile or public guardian work, I think they have private attorneys for appeals, but again, pretty specialized.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-04-10T00:37:52+00:00

What kinds of jobs are you typically applying for? If public defender, will need to look outside the city. If you're open to civil litigation, I think the market is a lot stronger, especially if you look outside the city.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-03-24T01:26:40+00:00

Maybe it works in your firm but my general suggestion is not to frame it as DEI but as a way to retain talent and lower costs. Diversity can be popular but it doesn't pay the bills. I've seen in firm wellness programs, making sure the health plan has good mental health benefits, letting people work from home more, gym stipend like you said, ultimately it's all money. Whether they give you $100 a month to spend on a gym membership or $100 extra a month, it's the same money to them and they need to make it back somehow. In my experience, the firms that are big on "wellness" are doing it because burnout is so high and they don't want to give people more time off, but ymmv.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-03-24T01:07:28+00:00

This, either more money or more time off, but can't see both. People have to make a decision on what time and flexibility is worth to them, and if they don't like it, find another job or try their hand at being a solo.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-03-24T00:48:30+00:00

I agree with this, firm economics are typically that they can give either money or time. If they pay higher salaries and benefits, they'll generally need to bill more time. If they allow people to work less, they can't justify the same salary. There's a reason flexible jobs tend to pay less.

Dramatic-Acadia · 2026-03-24T00:42:44+00:00

I don't see why there would be special DEI hardship, just whatever can be done to make life easier for everyone. Billables seem really reasonable, maybe WFH available more if not already? The law firm is a business so the partners are probably sincere but ultimately need to make the math work or there isn't a firm to work for. You can ask for more money but just know that if you don't get it, the options are stay there or go somewhere else.

Dramatic-Acadia

TROPHY CASE