WHAT ARE LIMITED LEGAL SERVICES / UNBUNDLED SERVICES CONTRACTS?

Not all clients need or want a Full Legal Services Contract, which is an agreement for the attorney to handle every issue and aspect of the client’s case from start to finish.  The Full Legal Services Contract includes all:  meetings; legal advice; research; document preparation; advice on selection of a guardian ad litem and other experts; court appearances; negotiations; mediations; trial; and any other service necessary to advance the client’s case.  The cost of these contracts is unknown because the scope of the legal services is unknown and undefined at the beginning of representation.

Many clients only want a limited legal service aimed at their very specific immediate need.    A new trend is for law firms to offer clients an “Unbundled” (or Limited) Service Contract.  Rather than ordering a five course dinner with dessert, the client can order ala carte, and only pay for what they need.

In a Limited Service contract, the client describes their specific need during a telephone call or email, and the attorney agrees, in advance, to a fee for a specific service to be rendered.  This can be to assist with the drafting of paperwork, attend mediation, or even provide argument at a hearing.  The client is provided the specific service they contracted the attorney to perform.  Once the attorney has fulfilled the service(s) promised in the contract, the Unbundled Service Contract is satisfied.  A specific legal service has been requested, provided, and paid for.  At this point, there is no further obligation by the client or attorney.  Any additional legal services would require new Unbundled Service Contract(s).

The topics and scope for Unbundled Legal Service Contracts are unrestricted.  The client can request a meeting with the attorney to discuss:  a legal issue; their legal rights; the legal process; what happens at a hearing, mediation, or trial; how to draft a document; or how to file or service a pleading.  The client can request that the attorney:  draft a pleading for them; review a pleading served on them; or appear for them at a specific hearing, mediation, or trial.  The client determines the specific limited service they want at that time, are told the cost for that specific service, receive that service, and pay for only that specific service.

Should the client need additional legal services, they are free to contact the attorney for as many additional Unbundled Service Contracts as they like.  The additional legal services can be requested during the attorney-client meeting, or by future contact to the law office.  The client can also convert to a Full Legal Services Contract at any time they feel that is in their best interest.

In a world of Court mandated pre-printed legal pleadings, computers, and You Tube education videos, more and more clients do not need a Full Legal Services Contract.  Many clients can do a significant portion of their own representation, but need assistance with one or more specific tasks.  Unbundled Legal Service Contracts are a good step forward in providing efficient and cost effective legal services to our community.

Morris Sockle is available to perform legal services on a Limited Services Contract.  If you are dealing with a legal issue and contemplating your approach, contact our office to schedule a consultation to see what type of contract may work best for you.