Business Summary:

Pre-Paid Legal Services®, Inc. was one of the first companies in the United States organized solely to design, underwrite and market legal expense plans. For a low monthly fee of $26 or less, the Company's legal expense plans (referred to as memberships) offer a variety of legal services in a manner similar to medical reimbursement plans.

The Company currently provides legal services to over 1.5 million families across the U.S. and Canada. Plan benefits are delivered through a network of independent provider law firms. Members have direct, toll-free access to their provider law firm rather than having to comb through a yellow-page style directory for a referral. Provider firms are carefully selected and the quality of service is closely monitored to maintain the high standards of Pre-Paid Legal.

The Service:

Our members are served by a provider law firm which has been carefully screened and selected by Pre-Paid Legal. Using the plan, members simply call their provider firm directly at the toll-free number on their membership card when they have a legal question or problem. It’s really that simple. Pre-Paid Legal does all the work; no searching for a qualified lawyer, no claim forms, no worries about being able to afford a lawyer – just peace of mind.

The Pre-Paid Legal Story:

1969 – July 11, 1969, Harland Stonecipher (CEO) is involved in a head-on collision which results in serious legal fees. He has auto insurance to cover the damage to his car, medical insurance to cover the cost of his hospital stay, and even life insurance had the accident been fatal. But he has no coverage or protection for the legal bills that accumulate. He begins researching the industry of European legal expense plans.

1970-1979 - On August 8, 1972, Harland Stonecipher creates Pre-Paid Legal’s predecessor, The Sportsman’s Motor Club, offering legal expense reimbursement services as a motor service club. In 1974, Stonecipher speaks at the American Bar Association’s annual convention. Throughout much of the 70s, Pre-Paid Legal utilized the services of only three salesmen to solicit new members and service existing accounts. In 1978, Pre-Paid Legal stock is traded in the Oklahoma over-the-counter market.

1980-1989 – In 1980, Wilburn Smith, one of Pre-Paid Legal’s most successful Associates, quits his job at a local supermarket and joins the Pre-Paid Legal sales force. The introduction of the network marketing concept by John Hail takes hold in the ’80s and Pre-Paid Legal first initiates sales through network marketing in 1983. Pre-Paid Legal is listed on the NASDAQ National Market System in 1984, and two years later moves to the American Stock Exchange. At the end of the decade, Pre-Paid Legal “tightens the belt.” In response to operating losses in the first two quarters, the company implements major restructuring of its administrative and marketing functions. Layoffs at the Home Office result in a 46 percent decrease in personnel. The home office staff numbers 114.

1990-1999 – A pivotal decade, the ’90’s ushers in challenges the company has not yet seen and hardens the resolve of the most dedicated within the company. Hard times are evidenced by the move from over 230 employees in 1987 to 85 in 1990. Restructuring and careful business practices results in the company rebounding to a staff of 491 at the end of the decade. Additionally, on May 13, 1999, Pre-Paid Legal moves to the New York Stock Exchange, and within four months is listed as the 33rd fastest growing company on the NYSE!

2000 – Present – In 2000, Pre-Paid Legal makes the Forbes list of the 200 Best Small Companies in America for the fifth year in a row. As Pre-Paid Legal Founder Harland Stonecipher co-authors The Pre-Paid Legal Story, his company now surpasses the one million membership mark. In 2001, Pre-Paid Legal finalizes building plans for a new $30 million corporate campus. With memberships now available in 48 states and four provinces and the corporate campus finished, Pre-Paid Legal is positioned for exceptional growth and success. A home office staff of over 700 now supports over 1.5 million Members and Independent Associates across North America.

Have you ever wished you could talk to a lawyer, but didn't because you feared the cost...or thought you could handle the situation yourself? Get ready to learn about a service that could save you time, money, and provide peace of mind for you and your family.

You only get as much justice as you can afford. If you don't know your rights, you simply don't have any! The top 10% of income earners can afford to have a lawyer on retainer and are accustomed to asking their lawyer for advice before making decisions. What about you?

A Pre-Paid Legal membership gives you access to quality law firms for $26 a month or less.

With Pre-Paid Legal:

You know who to call.

You're treated like the firm's most important client.

A one year membership costs less than a bottle of water a day.

You are empowered by knowing your legal rights.

Without Pre-Paid Legal:

You may try to handle it yourself.

You'll likely receive as much justice as you can afford.

You may pay hundreds of dollars for ONE HOUR of a lawyer's time.

If you don't know your rights, you don't have any!

Pre-Paid Legal "levels the playing field" in the justice system. With a Pre-Paid legal plan you can say, "I'm going to talk to my lawyer about this." -- and mean it!

Exciting addition:

You understand identity theft is a problem facing many people. You may even know some of those people, or be a victim yourself. Those who have not experienced it firsthand may not think about identity theft except when it pops back up in the news again. Unfortunately this complacency can lead to an underestimation of the risk. Unfortunately, we’re all at risk:

Do you hand your credit card to servers at restaurants?

Do you sign your credit card?

Do you supply personal information over the internet?

Do you leave mail at your home or business for the postal carrier to collect?

Do you shred unwanted mail containing personal information?

What can you do about identity theft? There are three basic steps to take to confront identity theft.

1. Make sure access to legal counsel is readily available.

A Pre-Paid Legal membership provides affordable access to an attorney, and along with an Identity Theft ShieldSM plan, can help protect your most valuable, yet most vulnerable, information.

2. Monitor credit activity on a regular basis.

An Identity Theft Shield protection plan provides continuous credit monitoring by Kroll Background America, the world’s leading risk-consulting company.

3. Have a plan for identity restoration.

Kroll Background America experts are on your side and work to restore your personal information if identity theft strikes.

Would you know what to do if it happened to you? What’s your plan?