A Brief History of LegalZoom.com, Inc. (LZ)

LegalZoom.com, Inc. was founded in 2001 by Brian P. Y. Liu, Brian S. Lee, Edward R. Hartman, and Robert Shapiro. The company was established with the goal of providing affordable and accessible legal services to individuals and small businesses.

One of the key milestones in LegalZoom's history was the launch of its website in 2001, which allowed customers to create legal documents such as wills, trademarks, and business formations online. This innovative approach disrupted the traditional legal industry and made legal services more accessible to the general public.

Over the years, LegalZoom has expanded its range of services to include business compliance, intellectual property protection, and estate planning. The company has also formed partnerships with leading legal and financial institutions to offer a wider range of services to its customers.

• 2005: LegalZoom raised $25 million in funding from Polaris Venture Partners and others, allowing the company to further expand its operations.
• 2012: LegalZoom partnered with the National Association of Realtors to offer real estate-related legal services to its members.
• 2016: LegalZoom announced a strategic partnership with Nationwide Insurance to offer legal services to its policyholders.
• 2020: LegalZoom went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol "LZ", further solidifying its position as a leader in the online legal services industry.

Who Owns LegalZoom.com, Inc. (LZ)

LegalZoom.com, Inc. (LZ) is owned by a group of private equity firms. The majority stake in the company is held by Permira, a European private equity firm. Permira acquired LegalZoom in 2014 in a deal worth around $200 million.

Other investors in LegalZoom include:

• Francisco Partners: A technology-focused private equity firm that invested in LegalZoom in 2014.
• TPG Capital: Another private equity firm that has a minority stake in LegalZoom.
• Kleiner Perkins: A venture capital firm that was one of LegalZoom's early investors.

While LegalZoom is partially owned by these private equity firms, the company's founders, Brian P. Y. Liu, Edward R. Hartman, and Robert Shapiro, also retain ownership stakes in the company.

LegalZoom.com, Inc. (LZ) Mission Statement

At LegalZoom.com, Inc., our mission is to simplify the complexities of the legal system and make it accessible to everyone. We believe that everyone should have the right to affordable legal help and the ability to protect their rights without breaking the bank.

Our innovative online platform allows individuals and small businesses to easily create legal documents, access attorney advice, and take control of their legal affairs without the need for expensive lawyers. By democratizing legal services, we strive to empower our customers to make informed decisions and navigate the legal system with confidence.

With a commitment to transparency and simplicity, we aim to educate and guide our customers through their legal journeys, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to achieve their legal goals. Our customer-centric approach drives us to constantly improve and innovate our services to better serve the needs of our diverse clientele.

How LegalZoom.com, Inc. (LZ) Works

LegalZoom.com, Inc. (LZ) is an online platform that provides legal solutions to individuals and small businesses. The company offers a wide range of legal services, from creating legal documents to offering legal advice.

1. Online Legal Document Preparation: One of the main services provided by LegalZoom is the preparation of legal documents. Users can easily create customized legal documents such as wills, trademarks, business contracts, and more through the online platform. The process is simple and straightforward, with users answering a series of questions to generate the necessary legal forms.

2. Legal Advice: In addition to document preparation, LegalZoom offers legal advice from licensed attorneys. Users can schedule a consultation with an attorney to discuss their legal issues and receive guidance on the best course of action.

3. Business Formation: For entrepreneurs and small business owners, LegalZoom offers services for business formation. Users can create LLCs, corporations, and other business entities through the platform, with step-by-step guidance on the legal requirements for each type of business structure.

4. Registered Agent Services: LegalZoom also provides registered agent services for businesses. A registered agent is a designated individual or entity that receives legal documents on behalf of the business. LegalZoom can act as the registered agent for businesses, ensuring that important legal documents are received and processed in a timely manner.

5. Intellectual Property Protection: Another key service offered by LegalZoom is intellectual property protection. Users can file for trademarks, copyrights, and patents through the platform, with guidance on the application process and legal requirements for each type of intellectual property.

Overall, LegalZoom.com, Inc. (LZ) provides an accessible and affordable way for individuals and small businesses to access legal services and protect their legal rights.

How LegalZoom.com, Inc. (LZ) Makes Money

LegalZoom.com, Inc. (LZ) is an online platform that offers legal services to individuals and small businesses. The company generates revenue through a variety of ways:

• Legal Document Preparation: One of LegalZoom's primary sources of revenue is through the sale of legal document preparation services. Customers can purchase customizable legal documents such as wills, trademarks, and business formation documents.
• Legal Advice: LegalZoom also offers legal advice services through a network of independent attorneys. Customers can pay for consultations and advice on various legal matters.
• Registered Agent Services: LZ provides registered agent services for businesses, which involves receiving legal documents on behalf of the business and ensuring they are properly handled.
• Trademark and Copyright Services: LZ helps individuals and businesses protect their intellectual property by offering services related to trademarks and copyrights, such as filing applications and conducting searches.
• Additional Services: In addition to the core services mentioned above, LegalZoom also generates revenue through upselling additional services such as legal plans, attorney consultations, and business compliance services.

Overall, LegalZoom.com, Inc. (LZ) makes money by providing affordable and accessible legal services to individuals and businesses through its online platform.