Steve Best

As lawyers we are ethically bound to deliver legal services for a fair and reasonable fee. In this regard, we suggest that if you are considering a modern revenue model like this, that you must think outside the proverbial box, so to speak. Let’s consider ABA Model Rule 1.5 which, in a nutshell states, “A lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee.” Accordingly, although not tested yet by a bar association or law society, if the subscription monthly fee is outside the normal fee range for similarly situated lawyers delivering substantially similar legal services, could a subscription fee in total be unreasonable?

Are your clients always contacting you in crisis mode? Most of the time, clients will approach their lawyers when they’re already in too deep and need help putting out a fire. And their crisis evolves into your crisis and stress. Have you ever taken the time to think about why this might be?

Many economic experts recommend that businesses consider changing their current revenue model in favor of a new subscription business model. So here's the question: can lawyers reasonably and ethically provide legal services by offering our clients “membership” in a legal service “club”?