John E. Geary, Esq.
Attorney at Law

My Limited Representation Practice Area:

Relatively recent changes to the Maine Bar Rules now allow attorneys in Maine to offer less than full representation, which is otherwise known as "Limited Representation". I offer limited services to clients who request limited services.

What is Limited Representation?

Limited Representation is the degree of representation resulting from a written agreement between the attorney and the client that sets forth the specific duties of the attorney during the attorney's course of representation of the client. A Limited Representation Agreement may also include many other terms describing the Attorney-Client relationship between the parties, including the fees the attorney may charge for the specific services to be performed under the agreement.

An attorney who "appears" in a court proceeding for a client by rule cannot limit the attorney's representation of that client. Consequently, a Limited Representation Agreement between an attorney and a client presupposes that the attorney will not be appearing for the client respecting the issue that has given rise to the client's request for limited representation from the attorney.

Because appearing in court on behalf of a client obligates the attorney to provide full representation, a cautious attorney will most-often perform (and bill for) services for which the client may not appreciate the need. Indeed, subsequent circumstances often show that such services were not essential to the prosecution or defense of a claim or position. Nonetheless, the services were rendered and the attorney who rendered them expects to be paid, often to the displeasure of the client.

How does Limited Representation benefit a client?

The obvious benefit to the client with a Limited Representation Agreement is that the client can better control how much the representation will cost. That is because the attorney does not perform any services that have not been specifically described within the agreement.

The client acting "pro se".

The most obvious use of Limited Representation is by a person who is required to "go to court", either as a plaintiff or a defendant, and cannot afford, or simply does not want to pay for, full representation, and the loss of control over costs that full representation usually entails.

"Pro Se" is a Latin phrase that essentially means "on behalf of oneself". In legal parlance it means acting as one's own attorney.

Appearing in court "pro se" is definitely not for everyone. Nor is it right for anyone in many circumstances. But Limited Representation can be a very practical, and cost-effective, method for some people in any number of circumstances in which a person becomes a party to a lawsuit.

Some people without formal training can be as effective as or even more effective than many attorneys. For them, even Limited Representation may be unnecessary.

Other people can effectively act as their own attorney, provided they are adequately prepared. Generally, Limited Representation is the way that people can adequately prepare themselves in many circumstance to represent themselves in court. In such situations, the client can make as much, or as little, use of the attorney's knowledge, experience and advice as the client feels necessary. That way, the client can effectively represent him or her self and save substantially over the cost of full representation.

CLICK HERE to see a sample Limited Representation Agreement.

CLICK HERE to request services or more information.