Why I Chose a Subscription Model for My Firm

The Golden Gate Bridge from Kirby Beach, Marin County, California

How Sliding Scale Fees and Legal Subscriptions Expand Access to Legal Services

Access to legal services remains a significant challenge for many individuals and small organizations, particularly those with low to moderate incomes. Traditional billing models, such as hourly rates and large retainers, often create insurmountable financial barriers and keep people from being able to get the answers they need to make decisions that affect them. As a result, unless a situation is dire, they will not seek the help of an attorney. My goal is to take this disincentive away and allow regular people the opportunity to get the help they need, and the help that more affluent people get regularly, without the fear, cost, or uncertainty that comes from traditional legal fees and structures. Innovative fee structures like sliding scale fees and low-cost subscription models are emerging as effective solutions to make legal assistance more accessible.

Understanding Sliding Scale Fees

Sliding scale fees adjust the cost of legal services based on a client's income and ability to pay. This model allows attorneys to offer services at reduced rates to clients who might not afford standard fees. For example, a lawyer might charge a lower hourly rate to a client facing financial hardship, ensuring that essential legal support is within reach.

Implementing sliding scale fees requires careful consideration of factors like household income and family size. Firms adopting this model often develop clear guidelines to determine eligibility and appropriate fee adjustments, promoting transparency and fairness.

The Rise of Legal Subscription Models

Legal subscription services offer clients ongoing access to legal assistance for a fixed monthly or annual fee. This approach provides predictability in legal costs and encourages clients to seek help proactively. Companies like LegalShield and RocketLawyer have popularized this model, offering plans that include consultations, document reviews, and other legal services at a fraction of traditional costs. Now that most people have had experience with a subscription service of some kind, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc., the idea of a legal subscription should not be as foreign or scary as in the past.

Subscription models are particularly beneficial for individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses that require regular legal support but cannot afford continuous hourly billing. By spreading costs over time, these plans make legal services more manageable and accessible. They, in effect, have an attorney on retainer without having to put out thousands of dollars to get it. This model has many benefits, for both the client and the attorney.

Benefits of Alternative Fee Structures

Adopting sliding scale fees and subscription models offers several advantages to Subscribers:

• Enhanced Access to Justice: These models lower financial barriers, enabling more people to obtain necessary legal assistance. Each of my plans is designed to be affordable, while also giving each client value for their payment.

• Predictable Costs: Clients benefit from clear, upfront pricing, reducing the stress associated with unpredictable legal expenses. Attorneys remove the need to charge their clients for every 7 minutes, every email, every chat, or every phone call. Clients get access without the bills.

• Stronger Client Relationships: Affordable and transparent pricing fosters trust and encourages ongoing engagement between clients and attorneys. You know you are going to get my attention.

• Community Impact: By serving a broader client base, legal professionals contribute to a more equitable legal system.

For the attorney:

• Predictable income: Attorneys can ensure that they can pay their bills, reduce the amount of time that they need to chase new business, and know where they stand financially at any time.  

  • This allows them to focus on their clients' needs, and less on generating new business. Each subscription is designed to be affordable to the client and justify the workload to the attorney.

  • I could make more money doing this the traditional way, but the downside of that is not being able to provide services to those who simply don't have the funds to participate in the conventional model.

• Predictable Costs: Attorneys benefit from clear operating costs, reducing the stress associated with unpredictable charges or changes in case load.

• Predictable Client Needs: By maintaining a mostly set portfolio of Clients, attorneys can get to know the issues, the needs, and the personalities of their Clients. This allows me the ability to know if I can take on a larger case or new clients.

• Stronger Client Relationships: Affordable and transparent pricing fosters trust and encourages ongoing engagement between clients and attorneys. I want to hear from you and I don't want to nickle and dime you to death to do it.

At my law office, I’ve embraced sliding scale fees and subscription-based services because I believe everyone deserves access to legal support, regardless of income. The subscription model allows me to do this without worrying about monthly billing goals or being incentivized to charge for every phone call, email, or interaction. These flexible, affordable options are designed to meet you where you are, helping you get the guidance you need without the stress of unpredictable legal bills. It’s part of my commitment to building a legal system that works for real people. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. I'm happy to help and want you to have the help you need.

This blog is provided by attorney D.C. Burnette. It does not constitute legal advice and is intended for informational purposes only. Reading this blog or contacting me does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal services are offered exclusively through the Law Office of D.C. Burnette, PLLC, a Missouri-licensed law firm registered in the State of Tennessee. For full terms and disclosures, please visit the Terms & Conditions page.