Addressing the Justice Gap with My Pocket Lawyer

My Pocket Lawyer, founded by Carlos Hernandez, aims to tackle the “justice gap,” a significant challenge where many individuals and businesses lack access to affordable legal assistance. This platform seeks to empower underserved communities, particularly Hispanics, with accessible legal advice and resources.

• A 2019 study by the State Bar of California revealed that only 32% of Californians sought help for civil legal difficulties due to high costs.
• My Pocket Lawyer addresses this issue by providing an online platform that offers basic legal information and resources.

How My Pocket Lawyer Provides Legal Aid

My Pocket Lawyer offers a user-friendly platform that allows individuals to seek legal assistance through a variety of methods:

• Users can upload photos of legal documents, such as rental contracts, for an English or Spanish summary and analysis.
• The platform offers answers to frequently asked legal questions, addressing common legal concerns.
• My Pocket Lawyer highlights potential legal issues or red flags within uploaded documents, enabling users to identify potential problems.
• Hernandez believes that My Pocket Lawyer can reduce the need for an attorney in over 50% of cases by providing essential legal information.

The Importance of Accessible Legal Advice

Hernandez emphasizes the significant barriers to legal assistance, including cost and fear of legal repercussions. He highlights that 40% of U.S. counties are considered “legal deserts,” with limited access to lawyers.

• My Pocket Lawyer aims to address these challenges by providing a free and easily accessible platform for basic legal information.
• The platform empowers users to navigate legal complexities and understand their rights, fostering greater autonomy in legal matters.

My Pocket Lawyer's Approach to Legal Technology

The platform leverages legal technology to deliver accessible legal aid. Users can access information through user-friendly features such as:

• Uploading photos of legal documents for analysis
• Asking questions in their native language
• Accessing preemptive questions and answers to common legal issues
• Identifying potential legal problems through red flags.

Expanding Legal Services Through an Attorney Network

My Pocket Lawyer is not a replacement for attorneys but a supplementary tool. Hernandez is creating a network of vetted attorneys for cases that require more specialized legal assistance.

• This attorney network will be accessible through the My Pocket Lawyer platform, connecting users with relevant legal expertise.
• The network will expand to cover key jurisdictions and address evolving legal needs, including specific issues faced by immigrant populations.

Funding and Future Plans

My Pocket Lawyer's success has been fueled by $6.6 million in funding, with $3.5 million raised recently. The platform is currently free, with future revenue generation planned through partnerships with attorneys.

• My Pocket Lawyer aims to provide a sustainable model for legal aid, utilizing its existing resources to expand its reach.
• Future plans include further developing legal technology to assist users with understanding case law and regulations, enhancing their ability to advocate for themselves.

Crediverso: A Foundation for Legal Aid

My Pocket Lawyer draws inspiration from Crediverso, Hernandez's previous venture that provides resources for financial services. Crediverso's success serves as a model for My Pocket Lawyer's approach to partnering with businesses and offering value-driven services.

• Crediverso connects users with financial services providers, generating revenue through referral fees.
• My Pocket Lawyer will leverage a similar model, connecting users with attorneys and generating revenue through partnership fees.