Nolo, formerly known as Nolo Press, is a publishing house in Berkeley, California, that produces do-it-yourself books and software that help people handle simple legal issues such as writing wills or drafting business partner agreements. [4] Areas of interest include immigration, family law, labour law, tenant and landlord issues, wills, trusts and intellectual property. [5] While Nolo encourages consumers and small business owners to manage their own legal affairs where reasonably possible, the company recommends seeking professional legal assistance for contentious or difficult issues. Since its inception in the early 1970s, Nolo has focused on publishing self-help legal guides designed to help everyone find answers to common legal questions in plain language. [9] The company is also the creator of Quicken WillMaker software, which allows individuals to create do-it-yourself wills, powers of attorney and other estate planning documents. [10] Although the company`s products ostensibly recommend that readers hire a lawyer for difficult or controversial matters, the company has nonetheless drawn the ire of some legal organizations. In 1971, Ed Sherman wrote How to Do Your Own Divorce in California. He and Ralph Warner discovered that established publishers would not publish the book because they feared being sued for practicing the right without a license. In response, Sherman and Warner founded Nolo Press and published it themselves. They then began publishing other do-it-yourself legal guides under the name Nolo Press. The Latin word “nolo” in the company`s original name (“Nolo Press”) could be understood as “I would prefer not to”. Warner and Sherman thought the name was appropriate, as they themselves had started a publishing business only after their first DIY guide was rejected by established publishers. Ed Sherman founded his own legal publishing house, Nolo Press Occidental, a separate company from Nolo.

[8] In 1997, the Texas Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee (a committee of the Texas Supreme Court) opened investigations against Nolo and similar publishers, asking whether their publications constituted an unlicensed exercise of law. On the grounds that the investigation was “the first step towards widespread state censorship,”[12] Nolo filed a lawsuit and sought a declaration that his publications were lawful. It has been supported by the American Association of Law Libraries and the Texas Library Association. [13] In response, the Texas legislature enacted HR 1507, which explicitly exempted websites and textbooks from charges of exercising the laws without a license as long as they “clearly indicate that the products are not a substitute for attorney advice.” [14] In this context, the Judicial Committee dropped its challenge to Nolo`s application. In 2006, Nolo retired its unofficial shark mascot for the company`s 35th anniversary.[15] [ref. Some of Nolo`s older publications had shown the shark wearing a tie and briefcase – showing the company`s penchant for poking fun at its peers in the legal profession. This mascot was often inspired by the motto “Don`t feed avocados. Just say Nolo. [6] The publication of Nolo`s first book, How to Do Your Own Divorce in California, was condemned by the Sacramento Bar Association, resulting in a huge increase in sales. [11] Read instantly in your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader. Download the free Kindle app and instantly read Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, no Kindle device required. Learn more Use your phone`s camera – scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

In 2011, the company was acquired by Internet Brands, Inc. The company was founded in an attic in 1971 by Ralph Warner (a graduate of UC Berkeley`s Boalt School of Law) and family attorney Ed Sherman.[7] The company`s logo shows the scales of justice tilted in favor of the reader and includes the motto “LAW for ALL”.