Do it yourself law or unbundled legal services.

Within the last year, here in Middle Tennessee, I have seen a huge move towards do it yourself lawyering.  Through the use of online legal document creation and research, people are able to get themselves into court and move their own cases forward without a lawyer.  This can be something that is fraught with peril.  In Tennessee, the legal system remains fairly complex and from county to county and court to court the requirements for case documentation can change.

The Ethical Rules for Lawyers in Tennessee allow a lawyer to offer what are called unbundled legal services.  Essentially, a lawyer may limit the scope of his or her representation to assist the client at a much lower cost.  This can be good for both the client and lawyer.

I am thinking about offering these limited legal services for clients.  We have a new website www.invisiblelawyer.com that is going to offer a way for clients to retain and use our lawyers, without having the lawyers actually appear in court.  This should be a huge savings to our clients.  If the client needs a lawyer, we will of course, either offer the full services or we will refer to an appropriate and reputable attorney.

I am interested in comments from those who read the blog.  Look at our website  www.invisiblelawyer.com and let me know what you thinks.  Below is how it works.

You pay a one-time retainer fee of $100.  This makes you an active member of Invisible Lawyer.  You never have to pay this again, even if you stop and start our service in the future.  Once you have become a member, you choose from one of three packages of legal services.

BRONZE PACKAGE:  For $24.99 a month, you get document creation, case management and case guidance.  This packages offers all of the basic features of document review, correspondence, evaluation and self diagnosis of case law.  This is the best package for uncontested divorces, adoptions, basic wills or simple business matters.

SILVER PACKAGE: For $49.99 a month, this is the package for our customers who need a little more TLC.  This package offers the same essential services as the Basic Service, but it also give you a legal coach.  This is our legal professional who will spend as much time as you need guiding you through your case.

GOLD PACKAGE:  For $99.99 a month, this package is designed for the pro se litigant that is working through a case to trial, or a small business that needs a legal professional on call.  The services in the package include:

• Legal advice: telephone calls, fax, mail, E-mail
• Advice about availability of alternative means to resolving the dispute, including mediation and arbitration.
• Evaluation of clients’ self-diagnosis of the case and advising client about legal rights.
• Guidance and procedural information for filing or serving documents.
• Reviewing correspondence and court documents.
• Preparing and/or suggesting documents to be prepared.
• Factual investigation: contacting witnesses, public record searches, in-depth interview of client.
• Legal research and analysis.
• Discovery: interrogatories, depositions, requests for document production.
• Planning for court appearances made by client, including simulated role playing with client.
• Backup and trouble-shooting during the trial.
• Referring client to other counsel and to other experts.
• Counseling client about possible appeal.
• Procedural assistance with appeal and assisting with substantive legal argumentation in appeal.
• Provide preventive planning and/or schedule legal check-ups.
• Other services as needed by the client.

We also offer a series of products, such as books, pamphlets or any other resource materials you may need for a low additional cost.