As an attorney, you have probably seen the phrase “unbundled legal services”, also called A-La-Carte services, and now you’re wondering what that means.
Well, you’re in luck, because we’re here to tell you all about unbundled legal services and how they can benefit you. Unbundled legal services are part of a rapidly growing movement that helps people obtain legal representation and advice regardless of their need or financial situation. They also help attorneys to lighten their workload, have better relationships with clients, and have more control over their schedules.
If any of this sounds appealing to you, then you should keep reading, because unbundled legal services just might be the best option for you.
What are they?
Unbundled legal services are, in short, agreements where an attorney has a limited role in a case and the client chooses which services they want.
“Bundled” legal services
Many attorneys have what could be called “bundled” legal services, where they handle all of the details of a client’s case. This can have many downsides. For one, there are hourly fees and retainer costs, which can skyrocket the price for a client and force the attorney to work hour-by-hour, rather than task by task.
This also means that attorneys have to do a lot of the menial work that the client could be doing, sucking up their time. Lastly, attorneys may handle portions of the case that the client would be perfectly capable of handling on their own.
All of this means that an attorney has more work to do and less control over their schedule, as well as less time to focus on their client’s specific needs. With unbundled legal services, though, all of that is different.
How unbundled services are different
With unbundling, attorneys offer a list of services, and clients can choose which services they want the attorney to provide. This has many benefits. One, the attorney does not have to do as much work, and the menial tasks can be left to the client. Two, the client is only paying for what they need, so they don’t have to overpay. And three, attorneys are able to give each client the attention they need to focus specifically on that client’s needs.
Unbundled legal services also differ in terms of pricing. Hourly rates and retainer fees are cut, being replaced with a flat rate for each service. This way, an attorney can work task-by-task rather than hour-by-hour. Working this way allows for more flexibility and control over their schedule, so attorneys can work when and how they want.
Unbundled services allow for many different levels of engagement, depending on a client’s wants and needs. In some cases an attorney might handle all of the prep work for a case but not the trial, in others they may only handle the trial, and in others, they may only provide a few consulting services. This way they have the time to see more clients because they aren’t providing a full range of services for every client.
Additionally, many unbundled services can be provided remotely. Without the need to see each of their clients in person, an attorney is open to taking so many more clients from all over the country.
Do unbundled attorneys work alone?
Yes, and no. Many unbundled attorneys do work alone, rather than with a firm. This is what allows them to have the flexibility, openness, and control that makes unbundled services great. However, that’s not the only option.
If an attorney does need to work with a firm for any reason, it is easy for them to do so. With the right network and outreach, any unbundled attorney can work with a firm for whatever services or needs they have.
The benefits of providing unbundled services are tremendous. Attorneys have more control and flexibility with their schedules. They can work remotely or in person. They have more time to focus on the individual needs of their clients. And for clients, it is a truly affordable legal option.
So if you’re an attorney looking for any of these benefits, you should definitely consider providing unbundled legal services. It will change your career and open up pathways you never knew were there.