What are unbundled legal services? The classic model involves a lawyer charging for legal services on an hourly basis, with no cap, binding estimate, or guarantee of a specific outcome. Unbundling means paying a lawyer for specific tasks or work, and sometimes the client handles the remainder. There are advantages and challenges.

Potential Advantages

1. Limiting Attorney Time and Costs: By paying for specific tasks, clients can control legal expenses more effectively.
2. Securing the Advantages of Counsel, but Not the Cost: Clients can benefit from professional legal advice and work without incurring the full cost of traditional hourly billing.

Challenges

1. Defining the Scope of Work: For example, a client hires an attorney to write a brief on a case, and opposing counsel calls to discuss certain issues. Follow-up may not be included in the initial price or cost estimate but could be necessary.
2. Independence and Approach: Clients typically seek to achieve their ultimate goals while the lawyer provides a strategy and work to reach that goal. However, if the client is involved on an ongoing basis, they may wish to take a larger role in particular tasks, which needs to be discussed.
3. Estimating Specific Charges: If a specific charge is requested, gauging the required time and what it involves can be challenging.

Initial Consultation Questions

At the initial consultation, we expect to ask the following questions:

1. Objective Alignment: How will the work you outlined accomplish your objectives? For example, if you believe you have a large claim but the defendant has offered to pay nothing, why do you believe a letter will dramatically change their view—would litigation be needed?
2. Task Definition and Scope: How do you define the task, and what is its scope?

By considering unbundled legal services, clients can gain greater control over their legal matters, potentially reducing costs while still achieving their legal goals.

Contact us today to explore how unbundled services can benefit your case.