ALSA 2025 meeting

The legal profession in China is increasingly embracing technology. Since the 2010s, a new type of law firm, commonly known as “internet-promoted firms” (IPFs), has emerged as a significant force, particularly in areas such as debt collection, personal injury, and labor disputes. These IPFs typically collaborate with online platforms and legal consulting companies, entities that are not regulated by the bar association or the justice bureau, to market their services through search engines like Baidu and popular apps such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu. The lack of stringent regulation on these practices has led to problems such as unfulfilled promises to clients, fraudulent or exaggerated credentials, and irresponsible representations. Furthermore, the rise of IPFs has considerably driven down the prices of individual legal services, eliciting numerous complaints from traditional law firms. This trend has also depressed the salaries of early-career lawyers and exacerbated their already challenging working conditions.