len@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Leonard P Levine) (05/28/90)
This is a report about an article in a freebee magazine concerning a legal firm that deals with clients exclusively over a 900 based telephone line. The magazine can be reached at InfoText Magazine; 34700 Coast Highway, suite 309; Capistrano Beach, CA 92624; (714) 493-2434. Needless to say I have no affiliation except as a subscriber. Beginning on page 34 of the May 1990 issue is a report of an interview with Michael Cane, founder of the company. Cane reported the following numbers: More than 40 calls per day at $3.00/minute are received with the average call running 13 minutes. (I compute that this brings them $400,000/year.) The article describes the staff indicating only that two are receptionists but shows a picture of 12 people captioned as "the staff at Tele-Lawyer". The on line computerized database of information used is discussed, the problems in working with 900 based services in California is addressed, and advertising problems are covered. Services described include business, personal injury, tax, family, debtor/creditor rights and bankruptcy, real estate, landlord-tenant, immigration, criminal law and procedure, probate, retirement/social security, and consumer protection. Printed responses from the company are by fax or mail, and legal forms are available. This is the first report I have seen about a non-sleeze 900 service. I have no idea how well it can work but think that the numbers and facts reported above will be interesting to this audience. About the magazine, there are EXTENSIVE advertisements for 900 equipment providers (people who provide 900-based systems for people like the lawyer above) and articles of some interest. The May issue has an article by Senator Kohl (WI) discussing his bill in favor of Caller ID with call blocking and call trace. None of the ideas he presents are foreign to this audience but it is a pleasure to see them expressed by my Senator. The magazine has a 900 number permitting people who want to subscribe to this controlled-circulation (free for first 12 months) magazine to do so for a one time $9.95 charge (gotcha). Sorry folks, I just do not remember that number. | Leonard P. Levine e-mail len@cs.uwm.edu | | Professor, Computer Science Office (414) 229-5170 | | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Home (414) 962-4719 | | Milwaukee, WI 53201 U.S.A. FAX (414) 229-6958 |