Justice for All Project: Attorney Survey

Limited Scope Representation

Limited scope representation, unbundled legal services and discrete task representation refer to a method of legal services delivery in which a client hires an attorney to assist with specific elements of the matter. These tasks may include any or all of the following: gathering facts; advising the client; discovering facts of the opposing party; researching the law; drafting correspondence and documents; negotiating; reviewing a particular document; and/or representing the client in court. The client and the attorney agree on the specific tasks to be performed by each. Depending on the nature of the involvement, the attorney may enter an appearance with the court. The client represents himself/herself in all other aspects of the case.

Question Title

* 1. Approximately what percentages of your caseload is dedicated to limited scope representation?

None

Less than 5%

5 - 10%

10 - 20%

20 - 30%

30 - 40%

40 - 50%

Over 50%

Question Title

* 2. In what types of cases do you engage in limited scope representation? Check all that apply.

Divorce/Separation

Order of Protection/Domestic Violence

Child/Spousal Support

Child Custody/Visitation

Name Change

Collections/Auto Repossession/Wage Garnishments

Landlord/Tenant

Petitions to Establish Paternity

Criminal Cases

Contracts

Guardianship

Alcohol or Mental Commitments

Homeownership/Real Property

Adoption

Advanced Directives/Wills/Probate

Small Claims Appeals

Other Civil Isuses

I do not do any limited scope representation

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. What types of limited scope representation do you provide?

Preparing documents and forms for the court

Providing advice for self-represented litigants in court (both procedural and substantive)

Coaching

Providing independent legal advice on agreements

Providing one-time representation in court or at a discovery

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. Rank these statements from strongly agree to strongly disagree regarding limited scope representation.

	Strongly Agree	Somewhat Agree	Somewhat Disagree	Strongly Disagree
Limited scope representation clients are likely to become full-service clients	Limited scope representation clients are likely to become full-service clients Strongly Agree	Limited scope representation clients are likely to become full-service clients Somewhat Agree	Limited scope representation clients are likely to become full-service clients Somewhat Disagree	Limited scope representation clients are likely to become full-service clients Strongly Disagree
Limited scope representation would not work for my practice	Limited scope representation would not work for my practice Strongly Agree	Limited scope representation would not work for my practice Somewhat Agree	Limited scope representation would not work for my practice Somewhat Disagree	Limited scope representation would not work for my practice Strongly Disagree
Limited scope representation would expose me to more malpractice claims	Limited scope representation would expose me to more malpractice claims Strongly Agree	Limited scope representation would expose me to more malpractice claims Somewhat Agree	Limited scope representation would expose me to more malpractice claims Somewhat Disagree	Limited scope representation would expose me to more malpractice claims Strongly Disagree
Limited scope representation lowers the costs of cases so that more people can afford my services	Limited scope representation lowers the costs of cases so that more people can afford my services Strongly Agree	Limited scope representation lowers the costs of cases so that more people can afford my services Somewhat Agree	Limited scope representation lowers the costs of cases so that more people can afford my services Somewhat Disagree	Limited scope representation lowers the costs of cases so that more people can afford my services Strongly Disagree
Limited scope representation allows me to offer legal services at a more competitive price	Limited scope representation allows me to offer legal services at a more competitive price Strongly Agree	Limited scope representation allows me to offer legal services at a more competitive price Somewhat Agree	Limited scope representation allows me to offer legal services at a more competitive price Somewhat Disagree	Limited scope representation allows me to offer legal services at a more competitive price Strongly Disagree
Limited scope representation lowers receivables and results in fewer noncollectable fees	Limited scope representation lowers receivables and results in fewer noncollectable fees Strongly Agree	Limited scope representation lowers receivables and results in fewer noncollectable fees Somewhat Agree	Limited scope representation lowers receivables and results in fewer noncollectable fees Somewhat Disagree	Limited scope representation lowers receivables and results in fewer noncollectable fees Strongly Disagree
Limited scope representation provides more engaged clients that are more invested in the outcome than full-service clients	Limited scope representation provides more engaged clients that are more invested in the outcome than full-service clients Strongly Agree	Limited scope representation provides more engaged clients that are more invested in the outcome than full-service clients Somewhat Agree	Limited scope representation provides more engaged clients that are more invested in the outcome than full-service clients Somewhat Disagree	Limited scope representation provides more engaged clients that are more invested in the outcome than full-service clients Strongly Disagree
Limited scope representation brings the threat of increased disciplinary complaints	Limited scope representation brings the threat of increased disciplinary complaints Strongly Agree	Limited scope representation brings the threat of increased disciplinary complaints Somewhat Agree	Limited scope representation brings the threat of increased disciplinary complaints Somewhat Disagree	Limited scope representation brings the threat of increased disciplinary complaints Strongly Disagree
Limited scope representation brings the threat of fewer disciplinary complaints	Limited scope representation brings the threat of fewer disciplinary complaints Strongly Agree	Limited scope representation brings the threat of fewer disciplinary complaints Somewhat Agree	Limited scope representation brings the threat of fewer disciplinary complaints Somewhat Disagree	Limited scope representation brings the threat of fewer disciplinary complaints Strongly Disagree
Limited scope representation produces more satisfied clients than full-service	Limited scope representation produces more satisfied clients than full-service Strongly Agree	Limited scope representation produces more satisfied clients than full-service Somewhat Agree	Limited scope representation produces more satisfied clients than full-service Somewhat Disagree	Limited scope representation produces more satisfied clients than full-service Strongly Disagree

Question Title

* 5. Please check the top three statements that you think would encourage more limited scope representation?

More guidance/clarity concerning ethical obligations for limited scope representation

More guidance/clarity concerning court procedures for limited scope representation

Programs to connect lawyers with prospective clients interested in limited scope representation

Sample limited scope representation agreements

Information to better understand fee structures for limited scope representation

Opportunities to network with lawyers who provide limited scope representation

More guidance/clarity concerning malpractice exposure for limited scope representation

I am not interested in limited scope representation