Watch CBS News

Jacoby And Meyers Sues Over Ban On Non-Lawyer Law Firm Investment

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Jacoby and Meyers was suing to change rules that prohibit non-lawyers from investing in law firms, John Metaxas reports.

Andrew Finkelstein, a partner with the law firm, said that by tapping into outside sources of funds, the firm could deliver legal services to clients at a lower price. Also, he argued that the rules were unconstitutional.

"The reality is that law - and law firms - is a business, as much as it is the delivery of legal services," he said. "We would access capital to improve technologies that help us deliver more efficient and better legal services to a wider group of people who need legal services."

That includes lower and middle classes who may be priced out of expensive law firms.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's John Metaxas reports

Podcast

"Lawyers have been second-class citizens when it comes to business, in that they are limited to only be in business with other lawyers," he added.

The suit has generated opposition from lawyers who argue it's a question of professionalism.

"What we're about is serving clients, and if this becomes about investing in the profits of the law firm, investing in the equity of the law firm, we will no longer be lawyers," said Stephen Younger, a partner at Manhattan's Paterson, Belknap, Webb and Tyler. "When a client comes to a lawyer, the client should know that the only obligation that lawyer has is to the client."

"Every day, the first thing we think of when we get up in the morning is what is in the best interest of our client? That's our job. That's our ethos as lawyers. Our investors, if we took investors, the first thing they care about is what's the return on our investment? They don't care one iota whether our clients are served or not, and that's why the two interests can't coincide," Younger added.

With whom do you agree? Sound off in our comments section below…

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.