Full Representation or Select Legal Support: You Decide
Although Sandpiper usually provides full representation from beginning to end, some clients only want legal support for some parts of their case, while doing other parts themselves.
We offer the choice to receive only selective legal support in what is sometimes called “unbundled services.” (If you think of all the services that an attorney provides with full representation as a bundle of sticks, then unbundled legal services only include some sticks in that bundle.)
For instance, you may want to hire an attorney only to:
Make a court appearance;
Review an offer or other document;
Write a letter;
Give you advice on how to proceed; or
Provide another limited legal service.
You decide which legal services you want, potentially saving you thousands of dollars on work you can do yourself.
Sandpiper must comply with ethical and professional obligations even when providing limited legal support.
Ethical Responsibilities
All attorneys must comply with the Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct, even when providing limited services. For instance, a lawyer may not knowingly assist a client in committing fraud or other criminal conduct. Nor may a lawyer violate attorney-client privilege or represent a client when doing so creates a conflict of interest.
Courtroom Appearances
An attorney appearing in court, even if under a limited services agreement, will often be responsible for drafting the court’s order. Therefore, retaining Sandpiper for a court appearance will include retaining Sandpiper to draft the court’s order if required.
Ghost-Lawyering
Pursuant to an opinion by the Nevada Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, a lawyer is prohibited from providing “substantial” legal assistance without the attorney’s involvement being disclosed to the Court and the opposing attorney. This may require you to disclose the fact that you received assistance, and in some cases may require an attorney to sign court pleadings.