Blog: Janelle Orsi
By Janelle Orsi
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08.10.11, 10:20am
This much is certain: Our society would benefit immensely if we can find ways to share our homes and all the things inside. In theory, there is also great potential to make money from sharing our tools, equipment, homes, and cars. But each time we devise a way to profit from sharing, we may trip over the following legal paradox: our zoning laws are designed to prevent us from turning our home into a place of business.
By Janelle Orsi
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03.09.11, 9:51am
On January 1, California enacted a cool new law to make it easier for people to share their cars. With your help, this kind of law could quickly and easily spread throughout the country. If you have an hour to spare, see if you can get one of your legislators on the phone and ask them if they would be willing to sponsor a similar bill in your state.
By Janelle Orsi
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03.01.11, 8:44am
Car sharing is not only a good idea; it’s a ridiculously smart use of resources. Car owners generally pay between $3000 and $10,000 per year to own a car that sits and takes up space for 22 to 23 hours per day. Car sharing programs like Zip Car and City Car Share have helped to take thousands of vehicles off the road, by giving drivers a viable alternative to car ownership. But for those of us that aren’t ready to give up our own cars, the question then becomes: how do we share our own cars?
By Janelle Orsi
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09.02.10, 8:54am
In part one of this series, “How to Barter, Give, and Get Stuff,” attorney Janelle Orsi explores the legal ramifications of “third economy” transactions that happen without money, through barter, gifting, time banks, and other creative means.
By Janelle Orsi
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09.01.10, 11:00am
In part one of this series, “How to Barter, Give, and Get Stuff,” attorney Janelle Orsi explores the legal ramifications of “third economy” transactions that happen without money, through barter, gifting, time banks, and other creative means. Now in part two, she delves more deeply into the nuts and bolts of the gift economy.
By Janelle Orsi
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08.31.10, 8:28am
There are things we do for money and things we do for free. And then there is everything in between.
By Janelle Orsi
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03.29.10, 7:13am
What do you call a lawyer who helps people share, cooperate, barter, foster local economies, and build sustainable communities?
That sounds like the beginning of a lawyer joke, but actually, it’s the beginning of new field of law practice. Very soon, every community will need a specialist in this yet-to-be-named area: Community transactional law? Sustainable economies law? Cooperation law?
Personally, I tend to call it sharing law. We need sharing lawyers to help people like Lynne:
By Janelle Orsi
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02.25.10, 8:58am
It’s a curious thing – this “no talking” etiquette that has crept in to some taxi cab sharing and ridesharing systems. While blogging yesterday about the new cab sharing program in New York City, I came across an older New York Times article describing the local cab sharing etiquette. It said: “To enter into a shared cab is akin to a vow of silence.”
By Janelle Orsi
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02.23.10, 6:04pm
This week, New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission will launch a cab sharing program along some of the city's well-traveled corridors. It's a year-long pilot program, and just one more step in the direction of diversifying ridesharing and shared transportation options in our cities. According to the New York Times this past Sunday:
Up to four passengers will be able to share a yellow taxi ride, car-pool style, along three preset routes in Manhattan.
Janelle Orsi is co-author of The Sharing Solution: How to Save Money, Simplify Your Life & Build Community. She is an attorney living and working in Berkeley, California. Her law and mediation practice is focused on helping individuals and organizations share resources and create more sustainable communities.
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