Comments on: Is ‘Unbundling’ in Your Future? It Better Be or You May Have No Future!

By: Stephanie Kimbro

Stephanie Kimbro — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:05:20 +0000

I’m seeing a different kind of unbundled practice cropping up where solos, some in different states, are opening up diversified practices where they provide some unbundled services online and create a referral network to help pull in the quantity you speak of – like a virtual law firm of solo practices – that pool resources to pull in online unbundled clients and then refer them to the attorney in their network that handles that state law or practice area. There are no referral fees exchanging hands, just the understanding that the online clients need “x” service and so they refer them to their network VLOs.

Also, some solos are creating a virtual law firm agreement where they are part of a multi-state firm that refers unbundling cases to each other, but retain their own solo practices in each state. In the past month alone I’ve worked with two such groups of solos trying to band together to provide unbundling in this way.

As unbundling becomes more popular, this networking will become more common because you are right, it does require a high volume of clients to sustain this form of practice if it is completely web-based unbundling. That said, there is a lot of untapped potential to provide unbundling to pro se and “low bono” individuals.

I’m working with some folks at different legal aid orgs to discuss how we can bridge this gap in access to justice by connecting these folks who need unbundled services from the legal aid offices that can’t help them to the virtual law offices and unbundling attorneys who can. The need is out there; it’s just a question of finding more efficient ways to deliver it and for private practitioners to work with legal aid services to facilitate this. It would result in an increase in quantity of paying clients for the solos and provide a service for the public that’s not there.

By: Susan Cartier Liebel

Susan Cartier Liebel — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 03:36:47 +0000

Carolyn, I believe the first person uses it as a feeder to higher paying clients and the second is two lawyers (if not more) who are building a volume and diversified practice. However, as competition becomes stiffer and more people are unable to afford full service, I believe many practices will have to increase volume just to survive. I think the ‘choice’ will no longer be there for a significant portion of the profession. This may very well lead to more ‘legal networks’ of professional service providers and simply a whole other ‘animal’ created we have yet to encounter!

By: Kane Bennett

Kane Bennett — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 03:04:21 +0000

Great post. One big concern many litigators have is the “partial” appearance in a case. For example, suppose client wants you to only handle case up to trial, but if not settled client does not have the funds to pay. Once you are in the case, its hard to get out and court might not let you. I think more of us would unbundle in CT if there was some more clarity. Is CT considering a model rule? Have there been any advisory opinions? Kane

By: Carolyn Elefant

Carolyn Elefant — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:52:21 +0000

With regard to Scott’s comment, it has always seemed to me that an unbundled practice can only make money through high volume, and in turn, high volume practices work best when there are economies of scale. No single solo has the economies of scale to make money like a Walmart. That is why volume “mill” practices, and unbundled-only practices will always be a tough sell. However – if you view these practices as either feeders for higher value cases, or a means to capture clients who otherwise could not pay, then it becomes a way of diversifying your practice.

By: matthewcrider

matthewcrider — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:47:54 +0000

Great post, Susan.

Scott, for unbundled or virtual estate planning sites, check out:
http://www.texaswillsandtrustslaw.com/
and
http://www.trustdesigncenter.com/

By: Stephanie Kimbro

Stephanie Kimbro — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:35:35 +0000

Good points, Susan. Obviously, unbundling is something that I strongly believe in as having benefits for us as professionals and for the public in general.

Another resource for solos interested in unbundling is the ABA’s Standing Committee for the Delivery of Legal Service’s website which has white papers and state by state links to the different ethics rules on unbundling.

While most states are supportive of unbundling legal services, some of them have different rules about ghostwriting and working with pro se litigants in limited scope representation. Just this past month, there was an article in the Montana Lawyer discussing the state’s adoption of unbundled legal services. “Ghost Writers in the Big Sky: Is Montana Ready for Limited Scope Representation?”by Joe Sullivan (36-NOV Mont. Law. 4)
http://www.montanabar.org/associations/7121/November%202010%20mt%20lawyer.pdf

By: Rachel Anne Rodgers

Rachel Anne Rodgers — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:33:27 +0000

Thanks for sharing about The Hub! I am very interested! And for me, its not too far away. I am surprised that there is no location in NYC.

By: Susan Cartier Liebel

Susan Cartier Liebel — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:14:37 +0000

Corinne – TheHub is in Atlanta, Toronto and Bay Area in North America (why not New York???). Here is the link for those who’d like to learn about it: http://the-hub.net/places.html I love their mission. Where others see ashes they see growth opportunities. My kind of people

By: Corinne A. Tampas

Corinne A. Tampas — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:54:55 +0000

Once again, you’ve inspired me! In the same vein re adapting to new realities, I just wrote about a new work environment that has me really excited called The Hub.

Without going completely off topic, The Hub not only provides collaborative workplaces, but promotes “members” by helping them network, provides some free legal advice to new entrepreneurs, and has created venture capital,”Hub Cap”, for businesses. (I believe the one in San Francisco is in partnership with KIVA.)

The bottom line is that if we stopped and thought about it, these very difficult times having truly created new opportunities if we are open to them just as the attorneys you write about in your posting.

There are more than 25 global locations of The Hub. Here is a link to the one in SF:
http://bayarea.the-hub.net/public/ for anyone that is interested. Can you tell I am excited about this?

By: Susan Cartier Liebel

Susan Cartier Liebel — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:35:27 +0000

Scott, welcome to our blog! I don’t disagree with you. I haven’t spoken with either one of the lawyers I referenced in this post but I plan to at some point to understand a little more about how their business model is working – the savvy-ness of their clients and the ages. Plus, each one has a unique background and I’m curious if someone going into this with a 22 year history of on-the-ground client generation has a better chance at success of someone who is just starting out does. I’ll keep everyone posted as I learn more.

That being said, whenever a new model is introduced it does take time for those around to accept and then adopt themselves. But the time is now because technology and the economy are making it the perfect time for massive change.