LegalEx.ph is an online lawyer platform.

It connects the prospective subscribers of the

technology platform (“Tech”) to lawyers anytime and anywhere. The said Tech hires and
partners with practicing lawyers in order to provide services to the Tech users. Upon opening
its website, a notice will pop-up stating that, its services are not yet available and the
application is currently under maintenance. However, when the notice dialog box is closed, it
will direct you to their website page. In their page, there are icon buttons that will help the Tech
user to connect with a lawyer such as chat button, video call button, book a schedule button,
review documents button and many more. The Tech has also a button where you can create
an account by signing in through your email address and password. Upon registering an
account, a notice dialog box will pop-up again stating that the application is under
maintenance, however if you will just click anywhere in the computer screen, it will lead you to
user’s dash board account where you can now chat or call a lawyer or make legal queries and
appointments and will also see the corresponding billings.

The Tech claims that it is not a law firm but only a technology company. However, it can
be observed that such Tech acts as an agent of lawyers in order to solicit prospective clients.
The Tech is very enticing and is easy to use especially if you will download their mobile
application. Through this technology platform, it seems that the legal practice of the Tech
Partner Lawyers becomes only a business venture. The legal profession stoops down to an
ordinary level of professional practice.

Canon 2 of the Code of Professional Responsibility provides that a lawyer shall make
his legal services available in an efficient and convenient manner compatible with the
independence, integrity and effectiveness of the profession. Through this technology platform,
the integrity of the legal profession is undermined. The law prohibits lawyers from soliciting
cases for the purpose of gain, either personally or through paid agents or brokers. Rule 2.03 of
the same Code provides that a lawyer shall not do or permit to be done any act designed
primarily to solicit legal businesses. Advertising or solicitation of services is not prohibited, but
what makes it improper is through the employment of such methods that are incompatible with
the traditional dignity of a lawyer and the maintenance of correct professional standards.
Paragraph 27 of Canons of Professional Ethics provides that it is unprofessional to solicit
professional employment by advertisements or by personal communications or interviews not
warranted by personal relations. Indirect advertisements for professional employment offend
the traditions and lower the tone of the legal profession and are reprehensible.