Limited-Scope Representations in Civil Cases

June 15, 2021  |  New York Law Journal

Traditionally, when an attorney appears on behalf of a client in a matter, federal courts have required that the attorney represent the client in all respects. In civil cases, however, courts have begun to recognize the value of limited-scope representations—i.e., representations when an attorney represents a client for only a portion of a case. In this article, we analyze Judge Jed S. Rakoff’s recent decision in Villar v. City of New York where he authorized a limited-scope representation to allow an attorney to appear solely to assist the pro se plaintiff in settlement negotiations.

Limited-Scope Representations in Civil Cases (pdf | 254.04 KB)