Limited scope representation (a.k.a. unbundling of legal services) is becoming more common in civil cases in Oregon. New rule UTCR 5.170 allows lawyers to appear in court for limited purposes, after filing and serving a Notice of Limited Scope Representation. At the end of the limited representation, lawyers must file and serve a Notice of Termination of Limited Scope Representation. (Both forms can be downloaded at: http://courts.oregon.gov/OJD/pages/index.asp)
What is limited scope representation? Ethics rule RPC 1.2(b) provides: “A lawyer may limit the scope of the representation if the limitation is reasonable under the circumstances and the client gives informed consent.” For more information, read Oregon Ethics Formal Opinion No. 2011-183 (“Scope of Representation; Limiting the Scope”).