What should lawyers avoid to prevent misunderstandings about their services?

Offering both legal and nonlegal services in the same context can lead to confusion regarding the specific nature of the services being provided. When a lawyer combines legal advice with nonlegal advice, clients may struggle to distinguish between the two types of services, leading to potential misunderstandings about the lawyer’s obligations, the scope of the representation, and the standard of care that applies to the legal services.

Clear boundaries between legal and nonlegal services help ensure clients understand the nature and extent of the legal services being provided, as well as the limitations of any nonlegal advice. This clarity is essential in maintaining a professional relationship and protecting the lawyer from liability that may arise from ambiguous client expectations.

While detailed contracts, frequent communication, and varied fees can all play roles in client relationships, they do not directly address the potential for confusion that arises from offering mixed services. Hence, keeping legal and nonlegal services separate is paramount in promoting understanding and trust in a lawyer-client relationship.