Nolo (publisher)

Nolo

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Legal publishing, Legal software
Founded	1971
Founder	Ralph Warner, Ed Sherman
Headquarters	Berkeley, California , United States
Key people	Ralph Warner (Chairman), Chris Braun (President)
Products	Legal self-help publications and software (e.g. Quicken WillMaker)
Parent	Internet Brands

Nolo, previously known as Nolo Press, is a publisher located in Berkeley, California, that specializes in do-it-yourself legal publications and software designed to help individuals and small businesses handle straightforward legal matters such as wills and partnership agreements. Its range of offerings includes topics like immigration, family law, employment law, landlord-tenant relations, wills, trusts, and intellectual property. While advocating for self-guided legal solutions, Nolo recommends consulting legal professionals for complicated or contentious situations.

The company was established in 1971 by Ralph Warner, an alumnus of UC Berkeley's Boalt Hall, together with family law attorney Ed Sherman. Nolo has gained a significant foothold in the market by providing accessible legal materials. The company’s emblem depicts scales of justice angled toward the viewer, symbolizing its slogan "LAW for ALL," which highlights its commitment to making legal information widely accessible.

Leadership at Nolo includes Chairman Ralph Warner and President Chris Braun. The company distributes its products through Ingram Publisher Services and functions as a subsidiary of Internet Brands. Nolo’s business strategy centers on delivering cost-effective legal content and software aimed at empowering consumers and small businesses, fostering consistent growth in the legal publishing sector.

History

In 1971, Ed Sherman wrote How to Do Your Own Divorce in California. When established publishers declined to release the book due to legal concerns, Sherman partnered with Ralph Warner to create Nolo Press for self-publishing purposes. They subsequently broadened their catalog with additional do-it-yourself legal manuals under the Nolo Press name.

The term "Nolo," derived from Latin meaning "I would prefer not to," was chosen to express the founders' initial hesitation about launching a publishing venture after being turned down by traditional publishers.

In 2006, Nolo introduced a lawyer directory featuring a vetted selection of attorneys categorized by specialty to assist consumers in comparing options. That same year, the company discontinued its shark mascot, which had represented its irreverent stance toward the legal profession.

Internet Brands, Inc. acquired Nolo in 2011, incorporating it into its collection of digital media enterprises.

Separately from this acquisition, Ed Sherman founded Nolo Press Occidental, a separate entity focusing on legal publishing.

Products and services

Since its inception in the 1970s, Nolo has concentrated on producing self-help legal guides that offer straightforward answers to common legal inquiries. Its flagship offering is the Quicken WillMaker software, which allows users to prepare DIY wills, powers of attorney, and estate planning documents. This suite exemplifies Nolo’s approach of enabling consumers through affordable legal tools.

Complaints from lawyers

Although Nolo encourages users to seek professional advice for complex matters, it has encountered criticism from various legal groups. The initial publication of How to Do Your Own Divorce in California was met with disapproval from the Sacramento Bar Association, an opposition that ironically contributed to increased sales.

In 1997, the Texas Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee investigated Nolo along with similar publishers to assess whether their publications constituted unauthorized practice of law. Viewing this scrutiny as potential censorship by the state, Nolo filed a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment affirming the legality of its products. Backed by organizations such as the American Association of Law Libraries and the Texas Library Association, Nolo’s effort led the Texas Legislature to enact HR 1507. This legislation exempted websites and printed materials from unauthorized practice claims provided they clearly state they do not substitute for attorney consultation. Following this development, the committee withdrew its challenge against Nolo.