Rule 5.7: Clear, transparent service descriptions strengthen the attorney-client relationship

Rule 5.7: Keeping it crystal clear about what you’re getting

Let me ask you a simple question. When a client signs up for legal help, do they want a black-and-white plan or a muddled mix of services they didn’t expect? Most people want transparency—the kind of clarity that lets them decide with confidence what kind of support they’re buying. That’s exactly what Rule 5.7 is all about in the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. It’s not a flashy rule with flashy buzzwords; it’s about honest communication and solid trust between lawyers and clients.

What Rule 5.7 aims to maintain

So, what’s the core aim here? It’s not exclusivity, it’s not fancy pricing, and it’s not about personal connections in the abstract. The central objective is clear and transparent communication about the types of services being offered. In plain terms: clients should understand what the lawyer is providing, where the legal advice ends, and where other kinds of services begin. If a task might fall outside traditional legal representation, the lawyer should spell that out, so the client can decide with full information.

Why that matters. The justice system is built on trust, not guesswork

Think of it like ordering at a restaurant. If the menu doesn’t show every ingredient or every step the kitchen will take, you might end up with something you didn’t expect. The same goes for legal work. When a lawyer blends legal advice with non-legal services—say, risk assessments, compliance checklists, or document preparation that isn’t strictly legal advice—the client should know exactly what’s included in the engagement and what isn’t. Transparent service descriptions reduce misunderstandings, protect the client, and protect the lawyer from miscommunication that could escalate into a dispute.

A quick note on the framing

You’ll sometimes hear about “comprehensive services” or “integrated solutions” in the legal world. Here’s the thing: those phrases can sound reassuring, but they’re only as good as the clarity behind them. Rule 5.7 nudges lawyers to describe, upfront, the scope, the limitations, and the context of the services. It’s about setting expectations the moment the relationship begins, not after a problem surfaces.

How clarity shows up in real life

Let’s bring this to life with a few everyday scenarios. You’ll see what good, compliant communication looks like—and what it protects.

• Scenario A: A corporate client hires a law firm for contract review and risk assessment. The firm also offers a separate advisory service on vendor management and data privacy practices that isn’t strictly legal advice. The right move? The firm provides a written engagement letter that clearly differentiates the legal review from the non-legal advisory work, including who does what, the standards used, and the billing separation for each service. The client can then decide which pieces they need and understand the limits of each piece.

• Scenario B: A solo practitioner offers traditional legal representation but also provides a template library and basic compliance checklists. The practitioner clearly labels which items are legal services and which are non-legal resources, with notices about potential limitations of non-legal materials. This avoids the trap of implying legal guarantees from materials that aren’t legal advice.

• Scenario C: A firm markets “comprehensive counsel” that blends ongoing legal representation with strategic business consulting. The firm explicitly explains what requires attorney involvement, what falls under consulting, and what remains outside the firm’s legal responsibility. The client isn’t left guessing; they know where legal duties begin and end.

What this means for the attorney-client relationship

Clear service descriptions aren’t just nice-to-have. They’re the backbone of a sound relationship. When clients understand the nature and scope of the services, they can:

• Make informed decisions about what they need now and what they might consider later.

• Assess risks and budget appropriately, avoiding surprise bills or misplaced expectations.

• Build trust because the lawyer isn’t just “doing stuff” behind the scenes. The steps are visible, the boundaries are defined, and the responsibilities are shared in plain terms.

A practical playbook: how to implement Rule 5.7 in your work

If you’re looking to align your practice with the spirit of Rule 5.7, here are practical steps you can take. Think of them as a lightweight playbook you can skim before meetings or when drafting engagement materials.

• Start with a clear scope statement

• Right at the top of any engagement letter or service description, state what is included as legal representation and what isn’t.

• Use plain language, avoid legalese that can obscure meaning.

• Separate legal advice from non-legal services

• If you offer non-legal services (risk assessments, policy templates, project management support), label them clearly.

• Explain who performs each service and how the responsibilities differ.

• Be explicit about limits and liability

• Indicate where your duties as a lawyer end and where other kinds of services begin.

• Include a note about confidentiality, data handling, and any shared information between the legal and non-legal services.

• Use written confirmations, not just verbal assurances

• Confirm the scope in writing before starting the work. A well-crafted engagement letter or service schedule goes a long way.

• When the scope changes, document the change promptly. Don’t rely on memory or vague conversations.

• Offer options, not surprises

• If the client might want more than one type of service, present options with clear cost implications.

• Give a sense of when it makes sense to bring in specialists or outside counsel for particular items.

• Keep ethics front and center

• Remember that clarity supports competent and appropriate representation. It helps you avoid miscommunications that could lead to disputes or ethical concerns.

Gentle digressions that still stay on track

As you read this, you may notice a natural tension between offering broad, integrated services and staying within strict professional boundaries. It’s not a flaw to want to be a one-stop partner; it’s wise to recognize when a service crosses into non-legal territory. The magic comes from labeling those boundaries clearly, so clients aren’t left wondering whether a task is a legal obligation or a practical recommendation. And yes, that distinction can feel a little tedious at times, but it’s the kind of boring clarity that pays off in trust, fewer misunderstandings, and smoother collaboration.

A few common pitfalls to watch out for

• Vague promises about “comprehensive” services without specifics. If you can’t describe what’s included, you shouldn’t assume it’s obvious to the client.

• Blurring the lines between advice and recommendations. This can confuse a client about whether something is a mandated legal step or a suggested best practice.

• One-size-fits-all engagement language. Every client and matter is different; tailor scope statements to the specific context.

Helpful resources to sharpen your understanding

• The Model Rules of Professional Conduct, especially the sections that discuss scope, duties, and communications. Reading the rule in plain language can reveal what to emphasize in client discussions.

• Ethics opinions and committee notes from state bars. These can offer concrete examples of how courts and ethics boards interpret the need for clarity in service descriptions.

• Sample engagement letters and scope documents. See how other practitioners separate legal work from ancillary services and how they phrase limitations.

Putting it into perspective

Here’s the bottom line: Rule 5.7 isn’t a nitpicky rule aimed at slowing things down. It’s a practical safeguard for both sides of the table. For clients, it means they know exactly what they’re getting and what they’re not. For lawyers, it means fewer surprises, steadier trust, and a clearer path to delivering competent, appropriate representation. The more you foreground transparency, the less room there is for miscommunication, disputes, or doubt.

A closing thought you can carry forward

When you sit down to draft an engagement letter or present a service menu to a client, imagine you’re inviting them into the decision-making process. Show them the map: where the legal road runs, where the business side begins, and how far each path goes. If you can do that with warmth and clarity, you’ll be building a relationship that stands up to scrutiny and, more importantly, serves the client well.

Quick recap, in plain terms

• Rule 5.7 centers on clarity and transparency about service types.

• It helps clients understand what’s legal advice and what isn’t, reducing confusion and disputes.

• Implementing it means clear scope statements, separated service descriptions, explicit limits, written confirmations, and ongoing ethics awareness.

• Real-world practice benefits include trust, better decision-making, and smoother collaboration.

• Use engagement letters, plain-language descriptions, and credible resources to stay aligned with the rule.

If you’re reflecting on your own client work, a good first step is to review a recent engagement letter or service proposal. Are the lines plainly drawn between legal duties and non-legal services? Do you spell out the scope, the costs, and the boundaries? If the answer is a confident yes, you’re already embracing the spirit of Rule 5.7. If not, a quick revision can make a tangible difference—for you, and for your clients. And that, more than anything, is what great professional relationships are built on.