Pandemic: The Catalyst for Digital Legal Services

We talked to Joseph Dexter Feliciano of MyLegalWhiz about the legal research and he had the following to say about it.

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these COVID-19 times? 

Joseph Dexter Feliciano: We’re doing great.  

Tell us about you, your career, how you founded MyLegalWhiz.

Joseph Dexter Feliciano: I’m a lawyer and entrepreneur. I founded MyLegalWhiz when I was in law school to solve the problem of inaccessible and unorganized legal research materials. Now, MyLegalWhiz may be considered a Philippine business’ online legal department, a law student’s personal research study aid, a lawyer’s paralegal, and a Filipino’s private lawyer without having to worry about massive fees, the transparency of service and accessibility of quality legal work.

How does MyLegalWhiz innovate? 

Joseph Dexter Feliciano: We innovate using the scientific method and via customer feedback. We start with a customer problem, and we test different ways of solving it.  

How the coronavirus pandemic affects your business, and how are you coping?

Joseph Dexter Feliciano: We consider the pandemic as a catalyst for the faster digital transformation of legal work and services. Since our work is mostly online and because of remote legal study and practice becoming the new normal, it has given us mainly an advantage in moving forward to our mission of making quality legal knowledge and services conveniently accessible to all.  

Did you have to make difficult choices, and what are the lessons learned?

Joseph Dexter Feliciano: Yes, I needed to save money for the company. I learned that it’s crucial for a company to have reserve cash for emergencies.

One of the lessons is to focus on your core mission and current products while also adjusting as you move along to be able to navigate the uncertainty of the market and the behavior of customers brought about by the effects of the pandemic.  

How do you deal with stress and anxiety?

Joseph Dexter Feliciano: Acceptance of the present situation and taking action despite negative thoughts or feelings. Meditation, reading, and enjoying the “peace” gave me positive emotions.

Who are your competitors? And how do you plan to stay in the game?

Joseph Dexter Feliciano: Lawyers and law books may be considered as our competitors. However, with the current ratio of 1 Public Attorney’s Office lawyer to 5,356 Filipinos (actual indigent cases), our goal is to offer our services so that lawyers may have their time on more pressing matters. We don’t focus on competitors; we focus on customers’ behavior and feedback. Our customers only have alternatives like books, professionals, and Google.

Your final thoughts?

Joseph Dexter Feliciano: The pandemic situation is the great equalizer. Like wars, it gives people the opportunity to test their strength, adapt to the situation, and become stronger. It is a period of reinvention and great potential.

Your website?

credits.mylegalwhiz.com