LLP Monthly Report – Issue 4

The Colorado Licensed Legal Paraprofessional (LLP) initiative is a pioneering program authorized by the Colorado Supreme Court, creating a new class of legal service provider. Although not attorneys, LLPs are licensed to undertake specific legal tasks, such as preparing documents, collecting information, and offering basic legal guidance. This initiative aims to make legal services more accessible across Colorado. (See CRCP 207.1). 

One objective of the LLP program is to lower the cost of entry for consumers.  Less upfront expense helps consumers retain legal assistance from the start.  This is particularly important in communities where the cost of legal services is generally out of reach.

While there exists some national and statewide data on the costs associated with family law representation, there does not appear to be data on cost of entry.  Accordingly, we will use a comparison of cost of entry for cases inside our firm where a lawyer is designated as primary verses where an LLP is designated as primary.

Average Cost of Entry (Retainer)  

Attorney Listed as Primary $2,870 

LLP Listed as Primary $1,729

July 1 – October 31

Four months into the LLP program, the average cost of entry for consumers is 38% lower for those hiring an LLP.

Note: Cost of entry at our firm is heavily impacted by the SimpleStart program which can reduce a client’s retainer to $0 if the client’s credit/income/assets demonstrate low risk.  These averages cannot be compared to other firms without a similar program.  The program is available to all firm clients, regardless of whether the matter is handled by an attorney or LLP, so an internal comparison is instructive.

A comparison of the types of new matters for each type of provider for the first four months of the program:

Age 

Race

Income
[Coming Soon]

The current data set is too small to report on income. Income data won’t be available until disclosures are provided.  Some data points may be available next month.

Insufficient data to report as none of the cases have closed yet.  Once a case closes a total value is calculated and that data will appear here for comparison between the two types of service providers, attorneys, and LLPs.

Insufficient data to report as none of the cases have closed yet.  Once a case closes the matter duration is calculated.  That data will appear here for comparison between the two types of service providers, attorneys and LLPs.

Insufficient data to report as none of the cases have closed yet.  Once a case closes a client satisfaction survey is sent to all clients.  That data will appear here for comparison between the two types of service providers, attorneys and LLPs.

The data contained in this report is generated by our proprietary case management software which tracks data points for all matters regardless of whether those matters are assigned to an attorney or an LLP.  This allows the firm to compare the two groups from any point in time to determine similarities and differences such as those reported below.

Data is collected at the time the client retains the firm, as part of the financial disclosure process, and at the conclusion of the matter.

Where actual data is compared to forecasts, the forecast is based on historical performance, growth trends, staffing, and other resources as well as team input.  Forecasting used in this report is generally done monthly.