LegalZoom
 LegalZoom logo | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry |
|
| Founded | March 12, 2001 |
| Founder |
|
| Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | |
| Website | legalzoom |
LegalZoom.com, Inc. is an online legal technology company that was founded by Brian P. Y. Liu, Brian S. Lee, Edward R. Hartman, and Robert Shapiro.[2] In addition to providing an array of online legal documents like wills and living trusts, LegalZoom offers LLC, incorporation, trademark and registered agent services.[3][4][5]
History
LegalZoom began offering legal service products to the public on March 12, 2001.[6] Lee, Hartman, and Liu felt that since they were unknowns, they needed to attach someone to the company that people trusted. They came up with a list of potential candidates and decided on Robert Shapiro. Lee got Shapiro's phone number and called him at 8:30pm believing he would be leaving a voice mail, but Shapiro personally answered the phone and after discussion, liked the concept.[7]
In September 2012 it was announced that LegalZoom had formed a partnership with the United Kingdom-based legal services provider QualitySolicitors, as part of which the companies will jointly offer online legal services in the United Kingdom including company formations and divorce documents.[8]
In 2013 LegalZoom purchased a 206,000-square-foot building at 9900 Spectrum Drive in the Davis Springs Spectrum Business Park in Austin, Texas for a reported $21 million.[9] The Austin office acts as one of their headquarters and in July 2014 they installed a 260 kW solar electric system.[10]
On January 6, 2014 European private capital firm Permira announced its intent to acquire $200 million in the outstanding equity of LegalZoom and become its largest shareholder pending regulatory approval.[11] On February 14, 2014 Permira announced that the deal was complete.[12]
In 2015 LegalZoom announced they were to make their first UK acquisition. The acquired firm are Beaumont Legal, a 200-year-old firm in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England which describes itself as one of the largest conveyancers in the country.[13]
Services
LegalZoom provides legal services in various common categories including copyrights, DBAs, divorce, business formation, trusts, wills, name changes, patents, power of attorney, pre-nuptial agreements, real estate leases, trademark registration.[14] The company also provides a directory of attorneys as a certified California attorney referral service and offers flat-fee legal plans with member-reviewed attorneys.[15]
Honors
- In 2011, Business Insider ranked LegalZoom 27th on its list of the world's most valuable startups.[16]
- In 2012, Fast Company ranked LegalZoom 26th on its list of the most innovative companies.[17]
See also
References
- ^ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/legalzoom-appoints-laura-goldberg-chief-120000981.html%20LegalZoom%20appoints%20Laura%20Goldberg
- ^ First online dating, then online wedding planning, now this (22 January 2004). USA Today. Last accessed 17 April 2009
- ^ Bernstein, Fred. "Being of Sound Mind, and a $55 Consultation". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ "Registered agent market share". NWRA. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ "Incorporation: The Web Can Help". PC Magazine. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ http://www.llrx.com/buzz/buzz48.htm
- ^ Chang, Andrea. "Entrepreneur Brian Lee is business partner to the stars". www.latimes.com. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ "LegalZoom to tie up with QualitySolicitors for British launch". The Lawyer. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/print-edition/2013/03/08/legalzoom-pays-21m-for-building.html?page=all
- ^ http://www.meridiansolar.com/legalzoom-installs-260kw-of-rooftop-solar-on-austin-texas-office/
- ^ "Permira to take controlling stake in LegalZoom.com". www.reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- ^ http://www.socaltech.com/permira_completes____m_legalzoom_buy/s-0053598.html
- ^ http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/legalzoom-to-make-first-uk-acquisition/5052608.fullarticle
- ^ http://lawvibe.com/legalzoom-and-the-rise-of-online-legal-self-help/
- ^ http://www.legalzoom.com/attorney-connect/
- ^ "The 100 Most Valuable Startups In The World, Revamped And Revised!" Business Insider, October 7, 2011.
- ^ David Lidsky, "Most Innovative Companies 2012," Fast Company, February 7, 2012.