What are 'Un-Bundled' legal services?
When dealing with legal concerns, such as a copyright dispute or needing a contract drafted, people often wonder how they can engage with legal professionals to address their concerns. The legal field offers various models of representation to suit different needs and scenarios, which is not widely known. This flexibility in legal services can be categorized into "bundled" and "unbundled" services.
'Bundled' (Traditional) services
In a bundled services arrangement, a client retains an attorney to handle all aspects of a case from start to finish. This comprehensive representation could involve appearing in court, negotiating settlements, or managing all the legal tasks associated with the case. Bundled services are ideal for clients who require extensive legal assistance across multiple facets of their legal issues.
'Un-Bundled' services
Unbundled legal services break down the traditional full-service model into individual tasks that clients can select according to their specific needs. This approach is more flexible and often cost-effective, allowing clients to hire an attorney for discrete aspects of their legal matters. Examples of unbundled services include:
- Limited Appearances
- An attorney might appear in court for a single hearing or a specific issue, rather than representing a client throughout the entire legal process
- Document Preparation
- Clients can engage an attorney to draft or review legal documents without requiring broader representation.
- Legal Research and Ghostwriting
- Attorneys can perform background legal research or draft pleadings that the client can then use independently in their legal proceedings.
Unbundled services are particularly valuable in scenarios where clients are comfortable handling some of the legal work themselves but need professional assistance for certain complex or critical tasks. For instance, in family law, a client might hire an attorney solely for a custody hearing or to stop the wrongful transfer of assets in the case of elder exploitation.
Which is right for me?
