Law new describes a growing part of the legal field that includes alternative service providers, startups and law firm subsidiaries augmenting traditional practices. This area of practice aims to serve clients in different ways and uses technology to do so. It’s often overseen by a separate leadership team from standard legal practice and uses a varied, non-traditional form of fee structures.
New law can take many forms and has the potential to impact virtually every aspect of life. Some of the most significant laws in recent history have been related to healthcare, financial regulation and the environment. Changing regulations can increase the cost of some activities or create barriers to entry, while others reduce costs or provide greater flexibility. Laws can also be enacted to address issues of security and privacy that previously went unregulated or were inadequately addressed.
For instance, new legislation is now allowing hospitals to give out fentanyl and other drug adulterant testing supplies in the wake of an opioid and fentanyl overdose epidemic that has affected too many families, including the family of Matthew Horan, who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2020. Another example of new law focuses on student safety, requiring colleges to improve security and reporting requirements on hate crimes, sexual assault and other types of misconduct.
There are also many types of new laws relating to property. Property law covers land and everything attached to it, whether a home, office building or automobile, or even intellectual property like patents and trademarks. It can be complex, with statutory systems of land registration and rights to use the surface and subsurface. There’s also a difference between a right in rem and a right in personam, which refers to ownership of something specific or to the thing itself.
The legal system also deals with a range of social issues, including the role of religion in state governance and the separation of church and state. Other areas of law include civil rights, equality and antitrust laws. Laws pertaining to government contracts, criminal law, terrorism and homeland security are also important.
New laws are passed by Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. A bill can be proposed by sitting members of Congress or recommended by individuals or groups that are represented by the member. Those who sponsor bills can then work with other members to make changes to the law. The final version of a bill can then be voted on and signed by the president. Learn more about the legislative process by viewing our interactive graphic.