Pro Se/Unbundling Resource Center
Court Rules
State Adoption of ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(c) and 6.5
Alaska
Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 81, expressly permits limited appearances and governs attorney withdrawal.
Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(c), expressly permits limited representation and governs communication between opposing counsel and self-represented client.
Arizona
Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure 9(B), governs limited representation and attorney withdrawal in family law proceedings.
Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure 5.2, governs limited representation and attorney withdrawal in vulnerable adult exploitation actions.
California
California Family and Juvenile Rules 5.70, permits a lawyer to draft proceedings in family law matters without disclosure.
California Family and Juvenile Rules 5.71, governs application to be relieved as counsel.
FL-950, provides a court approved Notice of Limited Scope Representation for family law matters.
California Civil Rule 3.35, defines limited scope representation and application of rules in civil cases.
California Civil Rule 3.36, governs notice and application to be relieved as attorney.
California Civil Rule 3.37, permits a lawyer to draft pleadings in civil matters without disclosure.
MC-950, provides a court approved Notice of Limited Scope Representation for civil matters.
Colorado
Colorado Rule of County Court 311(b), requires lawyers to disclose assistance in document preparation but clarifies that such disclosure does not create an entry of appearance
Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 11(b), requires lawyers to disclose assistance in document preparation but clarifies that such disclosure does not create an entry of appearance.
Colorado Rule of Professional Conduct 1.2, clarifies that a lawyer may ethically provide limited services.
Colorado Rule of Professional Conduct 4.2, creates a presumption that a party receiving limited services is unrepresented for purposes of communication.
Colorado Rule of Professional Conduct 4.3, creates a presumption that a party receiving limited services is unrepresented for purposes of communication.
Delaware
Delaware Family Court Rule of Civil Procedure 5(b)(2), governs limited appearance, service and attorney withdrawal in family law matters.
Florida
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, Rule 12.040, governs Limited Appearance, Withdrawal or Limiting Appearance, Scope of Representation, Preparation of Pleadings or Other Documents, Notice of Limited Appearance, Service.
Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure 12.750, governs the operation of self-help programs within family courts.
Florida Rule of Professional Conduct 4-1.2(c), explicitly permits limited representation with written consent.
Florida Rule of Professional Conduct 4-4.2(b), establishes the presumption that a self-represented party is unrepresented unless notified to the contrary in writing.
Florida Rule of Professional Conduct 4-4.3(b), establishes the presumption that a self-represented party is unrepresented unless notified to the contrary in writing.
Hawaii
Comment [4] to Hawaii Revised Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.2, clarifies that a judge may make reasonable accommodations to assure that pro se litigants have the opportunity to have their matters fairly heard.
Iowa
Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:1.2(c), expressly permits limited representation and outlines requirements for written consent.
Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:4.2, establishes the presumption that a self-represented party is unrepresented unless notified to the contrary in writing.
Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:7.2, permits an attorney to advertise that he/she provides limited representation.
Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure enabling unbundled services include:RCP 1.404(3), expressly permitting limited appearances so long as the court is notified;
RCP 1.404(4), governing termination of limited appearance;
RCP 1.423, requiring lawyers who prepare pleadings in limited representation to sign them and clarifying that signing a pleading does not constitute an appearance;
RCP 1.442(2), establishing the requirements for service on attorney who has made a limited appearance.
Maine
Maine Rule of Professional Conduct 1.2(c), explicitly allows limited representation and allows a lawyer to file a limited appearance if the client consents in writing.
Maine Rule of Professional Conduct Rule 1.16(c), clarifies limited representation.
Maine Rule of Professional Conduct 4.2(b), permits opposing counsel to communicate with assisted pro se client unless unbundling attorney notifies opposing attorney of representation.
Maine Rule of Professional Conduct 6.5, governs the responsibility to determine conflicts in non-profit and court-annexed limited service programs.
Attachment A to Maine Rule of Professional Conduct 1.2(c), includes a court-approved Limited Representation Agreement.
Maine Rules of Civil Procedure enabling unbundled legal services include:
Maine Rule of Civil Procedure 5, governing service;
Maine Rule of Civil Procedure 11, governing the signing of pleadings;
Maine Rule of Civil Procedure 89(a), governing the withdrawal of attorneys.
Massachusetts
Supreme Judicial Court Order In Re: Limited Assistance Representation governs unbundling in Massachusetts Trial Courts.
Minnesota
Minnesota General Rules of Practice for the District Courts 110, governs the operation of self-help programs.
Missouri
Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, expressly permits limited representation with written consent and governs communication between opposing counsel and limited representation client.
Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct 1.16 (c), governs attorney withdrawal for limited representation.
Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct 6.5, governs the responsibility to determine conflicts in non-profit and court-annexed limited service programs.
Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure 43.01(b) requires service on otherwise self-represented person and not on limited appearance attorney unless notified in writing to do otherwise.
Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure 55.03, permits a lawyer to draft pleadings without disclosure and clarifying appearance and withdrawal of attorney in limited representation.
Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure 88.09, requires unrepresented parties to complete a litigant awareness program and to use court approved forms.
Nebraska
Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct enabling unbundled services include:
RPC 501.2, governing limited representation, attorney assisted document preparation and attorney withdrawal;
RPC 504.2[10], allowing opposing counsel to communicate with client on matters outside scope of limited representation;
RPC 506.5, governing the responsibility to determine conflicts in non-profit and court-annexed limited service programs.
Nevada
Rules of Practice of the Eighth Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada, Rule 5.28 requires signed pleadings, notice of the limited representation to the court and governs the procedure for withdrawal.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2, governs limited representation and provide sample consent form.
New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct 4.2, creates the presumption that limited representation client is unrepresented for purposes of communication, unless notified otherwise in writing.
New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct 6.5, governs the responsibility to determine conflicts in one time consultations with clients through non-profit and court annexed legal programs.
New Hampshire Rules of Civil Procedure enabling unbundled services include:
RCP 3, requiring that pleadings and communication be furnished to both client and limited representation attorney until withdrawal of limited appearance.
RCP 17, governing appearance, attorney withdrawal and document preparation assistance.
New Mexico
New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure governing unbundling include:
Rule 1-089 governing limited appearances and attorney withdrawal in district courts;
Rules 2-107 and 2-108 governing limited appearances and attorney withdrawal in magistrate courts; and
Rules 3-107 and 3-108 governing limited appearances and attorney withdrawal in metropolitan courts.
New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct 16-102(C), permits limited representation with consent.
New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct 16-303(E), requires a lawyer to disclose scope of representation to court.
New York
Local Rules of the United States District Court for Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, Civil Rule 7.1(c), requires counsel to provide pro se litigants with printed copies of decisions cited when unreported or reported only on computerized databases.
North Carolina
North Carolina General Statute 50B-2(d), requires the clerk of superior court in each county to provide pro se litigants with all necessary forms.
North Dakota
North Dakota Rule of Court 11.2 governs attorney withdrawal when an attorney has filed a notice of limited representation.
North Dakota Rule of Civil Procedure 5(b) establishes the requirements for service on an attorney providing limited scope representation.
North Dakota Rule of Civil Procedure 11(e) requires an attorney who provides limited scope representation to file a notice that states precisely the scope of the representation and also requires an attorney to file a notice of termination upon completion.
Ohio
Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2 (c) and 6.5, governs limited representation.
Utah
Utah Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2 (c), permits limited representation with consent.
Utah Rules of Professional Conduct 4.2 (b), creates presumption that limited representation client is unrepresented for purposes of communication, unless notified otherwise in writing.
Utah Rules of Professional Conduct 4.3 (b), creates presumption that limited representation client is unrepresented for purposes of communication, unless notified otherwise in writing.
Utah Rules of Professional Conduct 6.5, governs the responsibility to determine conflicts in non-profit and court-annexed limited service programs.
Utah Rules of Civil Procedure 5(b)(1), requires that papers relating to a matter within limited scope agreement be served upon attorney and party.
Utah Rules of Civil Procedure 74(b), governs attorney withdrawal following limited appearance.
Utah Rules of Civil Procedure 75, expressly permits limited appearances after client consents in writing.
Vermont
Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure 79.1(1), govern appearance, withdrawal and service.
Washington
Washington Rules of Professional Conduct governing unbundling include:
RPC 1.2(c), permitting the limited scope of representation with consent;
RPC 4.2, creating a presumption that a person is unrepresented unless opposing party is notified otherwise;
RPC 4.3, creating a presumption that a person is unrepresented unless opposing party is notified otherwise;
RPC 6.5, governing the responsibility to determine conflicts in non-profit and court-annexed limited service programs.
Washington Civil Rules and Washington Civil Rules of Limited Jurisdiction governing unbundling include:
CR 4.2, expressly permitting limited entry of appearance;
CRLJ 4.2, governing limited appearances;
CR 11, permitting a lawyer who assists with drafting to rely on the self-represented party's representation of facts;
CLRJ 11, permitting a lawyer who assists with drafting to rely on the self-represented party's representation of facts;
CR 70.1, expressly allowing limited appearances in litigation;
CRLJ 70.1, expressly allowing limited appearances in litigation.
Wyoming
Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.2(c), and 6.5 govern unbundled legal services.
Appendix to Rule 1.2 provides an approved notice to clients and consent form.
The Uniform Rules of the District Court of the State of Wyoming, Rule 102 governs appearance and withdrawal for unbundled representation.
| Browse By Subject | Browse By Issue | Browse By State |
