Clients Have Little Bandwidth For Legal Tasks

Above the Law

by Jordan Rothman

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Clients often struggle to allocate sufficient time and energy to legal tasks due to their busy personal and professional lives. This limited bandwidth can create challenges for attorneys who rely on client cooperation to complete essential activities like document signing, discovery responses, and other critical actions. However, lawyers can adapt their approaches to better accommodate clients' limited availability while still ensuring tasks are completed efficiently. One effective strategy is for lawyers to visit clients in person. Face-to-face meetings often make it harder for clients to avoid or delay tasks, as they feel a stronger sense of accountability when the lawyer is physically present. While this approach can be time-consuming, it may be worth the effort for maintaining strong client relationships and ensuring progress on key matters. Another important tactic involves streamlining processes to make legal tasks easier for clients to complete. For example, sending documents electronically for signing significantly increases the likelihood of timely responses compared to traditional methods requiring printing, signing, and scanning. Additionally, lawyers should stay informed about changes in legal procedures—such as updates that allow affirmations instead of notarizations—to reduce unnecessary burdens on clients. Lawyers who recognize and respect their clients' limited bandwidth can improve collaboration and overall outcomes. By implementing practical strategies like in-person visits or electronic document sharing, attorneys demonstrate understanding and flexibility, which strengthens client relationships and fosters trust. These approaches also help minimize delays and stress, ultimately benefiting both the lawyer and the client in achieving successful representations. In conclusion, while clients may have limited bandwidth for legal tasks, lawyers can adapt their practices to accommodate this reality. By leveraging innovative solutions and maintaining open communication, attorneys can ensure efficient task completion without overwhelming their clients. This not only enhances client satisfaction but also supports more effective legal representation overall.

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Originally published on Above the Law on 2/20/2026