---
title: "Record a limited-scope legal-aid advice letter"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/prepare-the-limited-scope-advice-letter-recording-what-was-and-was-not-d/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A54-E20261018-5-US"
practice_area: "Legal Aid & Community Legal Practice"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Record a limited-scope legal-aid advice letter

> List, from the lawyer's notes, what was done at the interview and what was left undone. Write no sentence of the letter.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/prepare-the-limited-scope-advice-letter-recording-what-was-and-was-not-d/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Legal Aid & Community Legal Practice](https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | List, from the lawyer's notes, what was done at the interview and what was left undone. Write no sentence of the letter. |
| What the lawyer must review | Model Rule 1.2(c) allows a lawyer to limit the scope of the representation if the limitation is reasonable under the circumstances and the client gives informed consent. Rule 1.2(a) requires the lawyer to abide by the client's decisions concerning the objectives and to consult about the means. You write the letter that states what was done and what was not done. You decide whether the limit is reasonable. Formal Opinion 512: if client information will be put into a generative tool that does not keep it confidential, Model Rule 1.6 requires informed consent before that input. Do not use the tool to invent advice that was not given. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Prepare the limited-scope advice letter recording what was and was not done](https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/prepare-the-limited-scope-advice-letter-recording-what-was-and-was-not-d.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: List, from the lawyer's notes, what was done at the interview and what was left undone. Write no sentence of the letter.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Some states require the limited-scope consent to be in writing, or have court rules for limited appearances. Open the state rule. Model Rule 1.2(c) itself says informed consent, not writing.
- A brief-service note is still a case under 45 CFR § 1620.2 if legal services are provided to a specific client.

## Sources

- [ABA Model Rule 1.2, Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_2_scope_of_representation_allocation_of_authority_between_client_lawyer/) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Model Rule 1.6, Confidentiality of Information](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_6_confidentiality_of_information/) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Formal Opinion 512 (29 July 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*