Unbundling Makes Inroads in Wisconsin

Last year the State Bar Commission on the Delivery of Legal Services, chaired by Madison attorney and former Bar president John Skilton, posed as one of its recommendations that Wisconsin lawyers take a closer look at unbundling. Toward that end, the State Bar Annual Convention in June 1997 included a panel presentation on unbundling and other innovative practices that would make legal services more affordable for Wisconsin citizens. About 50 attorneys attended the session.

Among those who attended, "there seemed to be concerns about ethical, disciplinary and viability issues," notes Louise Trubek, one of the panel members and a clinical law professor at the U.W. Law School. Some attorneys in the state are dividing work with their clients, especially in the family law area, she says, although the term "unbundling" is not yet in general use.

"One of the reasons we haven't had more systems like this develop in Wisconsin," Trubek points out, "is because of the lack of visibility and support for those who would like to try it. Those of us on the panel concluded that we need continued research and support for those lawyers who are trying the system, so they won't feel so vulnerable."

Because unbundling is a relatively new practice concept in Wisconsin many questions remain unanswered. Attorneys interested in pursuing unbundling in their own practices might consider posing the arrangement to the State Bar Professional Ethics Committee for input. To request an ethics opinion, write to: State Bar Professional Ethics Committee, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707-7158.