March of the robolawyers

Game theory can now be applied to the field of family law as evidenced by software that helps divorcing couples divide assets or seek mediation. The approach is anti-combative, guiding both parties through step-by step trade-offs to bring into focus what matters most to them rather than playing out destructive and costly emotional dramas. Programs such as Family Winner seem to work because they use conflict-management principles. This takes the emotion out of the divorce proceedings with very good results everyone concerned.

Couples who have used the programs give them high ratings perhaps because the emotions that can be exacerbated by real live attorneys are eliminated by robolawyers. Anything that reduces the emotionality of divorce has to be a good in my opinion. For too long unscrupulous divorce attorneys have been the real winners who take advantage of clients by advising them to go for the jugular. Not all attorneys cash in on client vulnerabilities, but I've seen it happen among friends. This software has great potential to reduce human suffering. I give it the thumbs up.

The Economist (2006). March of the robolawyers. In P. DePalma (Ed.), Computers in society, 14, (pp.200-201). New York: McGraw Hill.