{"id":119639,"date":"2025-05-19T17:00:30","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T01:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/05\/19\/navigating-the-fine-line-redefining-legal-advice-in-the-age-of-tech-with-erin-levine-and-quinten-steenhuis\/"},"modified":"2025-05-19T17:00:30","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T01:00:30","slug":"navigating-the-fine-line-redefining-legal-advice-in-the-age-of-tech-with-erin-levine-and-quinten-steenhuis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/05\/19\/navigating-the-fine-line-redefining-legal-advice-in-the-age-of-tech-with-erin-levine-and-quinten-steenhuis\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating The Fine Line: Redefining Legal Advice In The Age Of Tech With Erin Levine And Quinten Steenhuis"},"content":{"rendered":"

The practice of law has long been wrapped in mystery, closely guarded by ethical rules and stringent regulations. But as legal technology blurs the lines between legal advice and legal information, how do we protect consumers, empower innovation, and stay true to the profession\u2019s core values? Erin Levine, founder of Hello Divorce, and Quinten Steenhuis, a legal tech innovator at Lemma Legal, tackle this question in a lively episode of<\/span> Notes to My (Legal) Self<\/span><\/a>. Here\u2019s what legal leaders can take away from their insights on unauthorized practice of law (UPL), AI, and scaling legal solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The Cobblers and the Coders: Who\u2019s Practicing Law?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Erin and Quinten agree on one thing: the definition of \u201cpracticing law\u201d is shifting\u2014and fast. Traditional one-on-one lawyering is no longer the sole model for delivering legal services. Tools like Hello Divorce empower consumers with structured workflows, making complex legal tasks, like filing a judgment of parentage or divorce, simpler.<\/span><\/p>\n

But are these tools practicing law? Or is it merely legal information? For Erin, the distinction lies in what lawyers and tech companies <\/span>should<\/span><\/i> provide: confidence, accessibility, and data-driven guidance\u2014not just paperwork.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Quinten draws a comparison to retail: some consumers want bespoke, lawyer-crafted advice (think cobblers making custom shoes), but others prefer standardized, off-the-shelf solutions that are faster and cheaper. Legal tech bridges this gap, but in doing so, it forces regulators and practitioners to rethink ethical boundaries.<\/span><\/p>\n

UPL vs. NPS: A Tale of Two Metrics<\/b><\/h3>\n

Erin shared one of the most compelling ideas of the episode: the inverse relationship between UPL (unauthorized practice of law) and NPS (Net Promoter Score). The clearer and more user-friendly legal tech solutions are, the higher their customer satisfaction scores\u2014and the more likely they are to skirt UPL issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, instead of offering specific legal advice, Hello Divorce shares aggregated data: <\/span>\u201c80% of people in your situation chose this option.\u201d<\/span><\/i> This lets users make informed decisions without crossing the line into tailored legal guidance. The result? A 97% customer satisfaction rate.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Erin joked, it\u2019s a dynamic worthy of a tattoo\u2014or at least a T-shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n

AI: Friend or Foe?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has further complicated the conversation. While AI can draft legal documents, answer questions, and streamline repetitive tasks, it also raises the stakes for accuracy and trust.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quinten pointed out the risks of unsupervised AI: ChatGPT doesn\u2019t know your jurisdiction or local court rules. For instance, it wouldn\u2019t know whether a document should be stapled or paper-clipped\u2014a glitch that could derail a case. But Erin countered that AI, when properly trained on vetted datasets, can offer enormous value in legal tech products.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both agreed that the real issue isn\u2019t the technology itself\u2014it\u2019s ensuring it\u2019s deployed responsibly. Tools built and overseen by lawyers (or other trained professionals) offer a safer alternative to the Wild West of DIY AI legal advice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Practical Takeaways for Legal Leaders<\/b><\/h3>\n