Traditionally, the pathway to finding a lawyer to help with your legal needs involved seeking out an attorney and signing up for full-service representation. With the rise of unbundled legal services, entrepreneurs and businesses now have an alternative way to pay for the legal assistance they need.
What Are Unbundled Legal Services?
Unbundled legal services, sometimes referred to as limited scope services or “a la carte” legal services, describes an arrangement between a lawyer and a client whereby the attorney provides partial or limited representation on a particular case. The client and attorney will agree upon the scope of services being provided and the resulting fee.
This type of arrangement is becoming increasingly popular, since it allows clients to customize their legal services to meet their specific needs, while also reducing their legal expenses. Additionally, unbundled legal services provide access to much-needed legal guidance when a full-service package is too costly or overwhelming.
What Types of Services Are Typically Unbundled?
Unbundled legal services can range from complete legal representation in a specific area of law, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or filing a trademark application, to limited assistance for a handful of tasks, or even just providing legal advice. Common unbundled services include:
- Drafting legal documents
- Filing paperwork or applications with administrative agencies
- Negotiating with the other side
- Legal research
- Providing counsel and advice
- Attending individual hearings or depositions
How Can Unbundled Legal Services Help Your Business?
Due to their customized, cost-effective nature, unbundled legal services can be a great option for start-ups, small business, entrepreneurs, and other businesses with limited budgets and resources. By tailoring the scope of legal assistance to precisely the areas in which they need help, businesses can have access to the legal advice and documents they need, without having to pay for a full-service, comprehensive package.
In addition, unbundled services can provide much needed support when many businesses are in the midst of financial uncertainty or have limited staff. By limiting the amount of assistance needed, businesses can ensure that their legal needs are met, while staying within their budget.
Final Thoughts
Unbundled legal services can be an incredible time- and cost-saving solution for businesses. By allowing clients to customize and limit their representation, these services bring much-needed legal services to companies of all sizes. Furthermore, access to unbundled services can provide the legal guidance necessary to make important decisions, or provide advice on the most efficient path forward. No matter the size and scope of your business’s needs, unbundled legal services are there to provide an effective, cost-efficient answer.