Ghost lawyer

A ghost lawyer, also known as a legal ghostwriter, is a lawyer who writes legal opinions for other lawyers without accreditation. Ghost lawyers may offer their services to other lawyers on a project-by-project basis.[1]

While most states permit the practice, ethical concerns have been raised with regard to pro se litigants.[2][3]

With an increase in pro se litigants during the 21st century, some attorneys have adapted their services to offer "unbundled" legal services, in which the attorney agrees to a limited role in assisting a self-representing client.[4]

Notes and references

  1. ^ Schoenthal, Allison and Feinberg, Jeremy R. "Ethics of Ghost Lawyering" New York Legal Ethics Reporter, (reprinted from NYPRR Archive of November 2010). Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  2. ^ Schoenthal, Allison. "Ethics of Ghost Lawyering". New York Legal Ethics. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  3. ^ "STANDING COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CONDUCT". State Bar of Nevada. Archived from the original on 2007-06-08. Retrieved 2007-10-22.
  4. ^ Marquette, Law Review (September 2008). "A Proposal for Dealing with Attorney Ghostwriting of Pro Se Litigants' Court Documents". Marquette Law Review. 92: 43 – via Marquette.