Unbundled Legal Services such as Limited Scope Legal Representation (also known as limited scope assistance & discrete task representation) keeps you in control of your case and expenses by limiting your attorney’s work to specific agreed upon tasks. For example, you may need the help of a lawyer to prepare the pleadings, motions & legal research to help you present your case to the court. By limiting the scope of representation, you and your attorney can agree on a fee and select which specific services will be provided by the attorney and which tasks you will perform yourself. Limited scope representation empowers you to decide to exclude services that a lawyer might traditionally provide as a matter of course, but that you view as too expensive or as not necessary to achieve your legal objective.
This approach differs from traditional full service representation in a few of the following ways:
1. “Limited” Means Just That.
New Mexico law allows a lawyer to limit the scope of representation if the limitation is reasonable under the circumstances and if you, the client, provide informed consent. The lawyer must explain the benefits and risks associated with limiting the scope of his work on your case. Once you give informed consent by signing an agreement that limits the tasks you want the lawyer to perform, the lawyer may provide the services you specifically requested and for which you paid. He/She must advise you of any significant problems that may be associated with his/her limited representation, but he/she is not required to take any subsequent action outside of the term of your limited scope agreement.
2. The Buck Stops With You.
Unless you and your attorney specifically agree otherwise, when you choose limited scope legal representation the ultimate responsibility for your case and its outcome rests with you. The lawyer will perform the tasks assigned to he/she in your limited representation agreement …everything else is your job. If your attorney enters a limited appearance with the court, then withdraws after he/she completes the purpose of his/her limited entry, you’ll have to appear at all future hearing yourself unless you make new arrangements with your lawyer.
Limited scope legal representation provides you the opportunity to obtain technical assistance from an attorney on a limited topic or matter so you may address your legal problems in a way that is most comfortable and financially feasible for you.
The above information is designed solely to illustrate general principles of law, and does not constitute a specific legal opinion on individual cases. We suggest that you contact experienced legal counsel for a specific opinion tailored to your individual circumstances.
Should you wish to discuss how limited representation or unbundled services may best suit your needs, please call us at 505.989.8117 or Contact us by clicking here.
Comments are closed