Should Everyone Have Access to Quality Legal Assistance?
Without getting into a sociological debate, in my opinion, HELL YES!!! A person shouldn’t be limited to getting the help he or she needs for lack of money; especially in matters such as getting a divorce or forming an LLC. A Legal Services Coach may be the answer! A Legal Services Coach is a lawyer who offers limited legal representation, and serves more as a “consultant” than a full representing attorney. In these cases, the client and attorney decide upon the scope of the representation which means that, together, they map out what the attorney will do and how the attorney will help. A Legal Services Coach’s responsibility is to assist the client, being bound by the same ethical standards by such representation without the price-tag of a full attorney retainer. They review the law and facts applicable to the legal matter, and advise accordingly. This style of limited legal representation provides access to legal advice to a greater number of people, which in turn affords more people some form of legal representation.
What Services Can a Legal Services Coach Provide?
The help that a Legal Services coach may provide depends on the agreement reached between the lawyer and prospective client, as well as the attorney’s expertise. The agreement should be comprehensive, specifically identify the legal issue, relief sought, and the services that attorney will provide.
Some of the ways a Legal Services Coach can provide assistance include:
- Preparation and/or review of legal documents: A Legal Services Coach can review and draft legal documents such as: business filings, deeds on real property, motions (pleading) or contracts.
- Mediation coaching: A Legal Service Coach can offer advice about settlement options, legal rules and procedures, and prepare the client for mediation. If the client obtains the attorney’s services after mediation, the Legal Service Coach can evaluate a proposed agreement, and advise the client whether to accept, decline or revise it.
- Representation and coaching in non-adversarial disputes: Some Legal Services Coaches choose to only provide limited representation to clients engaged in non-adversarial disputes, such as in uncontested divorces or contract agreements.
- Preventive advice: A Legal Services Coach may offer preventive advice. For instance, he/she can give guidance regarding business operations, in creating the proper structure, and family court matters such as not paying child support against a Court order.
- Litigation Coaching: A Legal Services Coach can help a client who may have decided to represent him or herself in a proceeding. A Legal Services Coach can also assist in determining whether a viable legal claim exists and advise as to how to proceed in filing a claim or responding by an answer. A Legal Services Coach may also advise on filings, and assist in developing questions for the client to ask witnesses in a hearing or proceeding. A Legal Services Coach can also offer guidance on legal strategy or give advice towards possible settlement.
- Full representation: If a case becomes too complicated for a client than anticipated, the Legal Services Coach can take over on behalf of the client, and offer full representation. The transition to full representation is usually seamless where the attorney is already familiar with the case.
Legal Services Coaching as a lawyer-coach model is an attractive alternative to full attorney-client relationship, benefiting the client most, and it deserves serious consideration while it offers the potential of focused legal services with practical, concentrated assistance that both existing and potential clients would welcome in meeting or achieving their legal challenges.