Unbundling Legal Services
There has been a lot of talk surrounding “unbundling” legal services recently. Unbundling legal services usually means that there is an agreement between a client and an attorney to help the client with a distinct and limited task. These tasks generally fall into three categories: consultation, such as giving advice and direction; document preparation; and limited representation in court.
There are two types of unbundling legal services. The first type breaks up the attorney’s role into a number of limited legal services, allowing the client to select only those services that are needed. The second type limits the lawyer’s involvement to a single issue or court process.
There are multiple tasks that an attorney can do for a client under the first type of unbundling. They can give the clients advice, either at the beginning of the case or throughout the case. The client can hire the attorney to conduct research for them. The client can have the attorney draft documents for them. The attorney can teach the client how to negotiate with the other party or can conduct negotiations on behalf of the client. The attorney can also participate in court appearances.
In the second type of unbundling, the lawyer will be engaged for a single issue only and the client is responsible for representation for all other issues. An example would be in a child custody case. An attorney can represent a client in one single hearing on temporary child custody, but the client will represent themselves at subsequent hearings on child custody or at trial on all issues.
Unbundling legal services helps you be better prepared, more effective, and saves you money. If this sounds like something that would be helpful for you or anyone you know, please contact our office