Unbundling your legal services is increasingly popular

By Correy Stephenson Dolan Media Newswires BOSTON, MA--With the economy continuing to struggle, solos and small firms should consider an increasingly popular and lucrative model of legal work: unbundled legal services. Stephanie Kimbro, a sole practitioner in North Carolina and the author of a forthcoming ABA-sponsored book on the topic, said a "huge market" exists for unbundled services. "Because of the economy, more people are looking for ... a lower price, knowing they have to do some of the legwork so they can afford it," she said. "There is a really unique opportunity right now to meet the market need." Susan Wakefield, a family law practitioner in Southport, Conn., began offering unbundled services just two years ago after realizing she was burnt out from divorce litigation. Legal coaching, as she refers to her work, now makes up 50 percent of her practice - and is increasing. Performing unbundled services has "all the upside of law practice, like meeting people, helping them and sharing your expertise, but you don't have to go to court or deal with stressful litigation," she said. Certain practice areas, such as family law, estate planning or transactions-based practices, are more appropriate for unbundled legal services than more complex matters, like criminal defense. Wakefield, the principal at Connecticut Legal Coaching, cautioned that not all clients are right for unbundled legal services. The concept works best with individuals who are not afraid of speaking in public, have good computer skills and are organized, detail-oriented and able to manage deadlines. "Assess [clients] from the beginning and be sure to monitor them along the way," she said, noting that she has had to step in and tell clients they are in over their heads, as well as had clients come to her and ask her to take over. Kimbro noted that firms can offer both full-service representation as well as unbundled services as an option. For example, Wakefield still has some litigated divorce cases on her plate and will convert a legal coaching client to a mediation situation or even provide litigation services if the case becomes too complicated. She offers her services a la carte, with 30 minutes of legal coaching costing $99 and three hours costing $619. She also offers a free monthly workshop, where potential clients can come in and learn about the particulars of legal coaching. Before offering unbundled services, Kimbro suggested working up a limited scope engagement agreement which defines the scope of the services, how fees are charged - fixed fee or hourly, for example - and the steps involved in the completion of the legal matter. Kimbro created a checklist she provides to clients that sets out each step and explains what the client will be responsible for. You'll also need a termination letter to give clients when the limited scope work is complete. Practitioners should check the ethics rules in their state, as not all jurisdictions have embraced unbundled services. Kimbro said that more than 40 states allow such services, but differ on the specifics, especially over whether "ghostwriting" - where lawyers author briefs or motions but don't disclose their authorship - is allowed. "Critics argue that most people don't have the education to know whether they need full service or limited scope representation and that it is difficult to ethically unbundle services," Kimbro explained. Entire contents copyrighted © 2011 by Dolan Media Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is expressly forbidden. Published: Thu, Dec 1, 2011

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