Some cases need more than one attorney. A criminal matter might involve unfamiliar forensic evidence. A civil dispute might cross into an area of law outside a firm’s usual focus. A case may have grown larger or more complicated than anyone initially expected. Or an attorney preparing for a significant hearing, plea negotiation, or trial might simply want a second experienced voice reviewing the strategy.
That is where legal collaboration and co-counsel arrangements come into play.
The JAB Firm, based in the Twin Cities, provides consulting, advisory, and co-counsel services to Minnesota attorneys and law firms. Attorney Jill Brisbois has spent more than 20 years handling criminal defense and litigation matters, and she has served as an advisor and co-counsel to numerous legal professionals throughout Minnesota.
Every collaboration looks different. Some attorneys need a partner who can share responsibility for a case and appear in court. Others want limited assistance with a particular legal issue, motion, negotiation, or stage of litigation. The JAB Firm works with attorneys to identify the structure that fits the case while respecting the primary attorney’s relationship with the client.
The terms referral, co-counsel, and consulting attorney are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do not describe the same arrangement. The appropriate structure depends on the case, the client’s needs, and the level of involvement the primary attorney wants.
In a co-counsel arrangement, both attorneys remain actively involved in the matter. They may share responsibility for strategy, client communication, legal research, motions, negotiations, court appearances, and trial preparation.
One attorney may take the lead while the other handles specific aspects of the case, or both attorneys may work together throughout the representation. Defining those responsibilities early helps avoid duplicated work, missed tasks, or conflicting messages to the client.
Bringing another lawyer into a case does not necessarily mean the primary attorney is unable to handle it. In many situations, it reflects careful judgment and a willingness to use every available resource to serve the client effectively.
An attorney may consider co-counsel or consulting support when:
Timing often affects how much a collaborating attorney can contribute. Bringing in support before depositions begin, before a plea deadline approaches, or while motions are still being developed generally creates more room for meaningful coordination. Waiting until shortly before trial or an appeal deadline may limit the options available, although later involvement can still be valuable in the right circumstances.
An attorney does not always need another lawyer to enter a formal appearance. Consulting work allows the primary attorney to receive strategic guidance or a second opinion while continuing to manage the case independently.
The JAB Firm may assist by:
This type of arrangement may be appropriate when an attorney wants targeted assistance without adding another attorney to the court record.
Some collaborations begin because a case has reached a stage that requires additional preparation or courtroom resources. An attorney may seek help with a particular motion, evidentiary question, expert witness, hearing, or trial.
The JAB Firm can become involved for a defined portion of the matter or provide broader support as the case moves forward. The scope of the work should be established at the beginning so both attorneys understand who is responsible for each part of the case.
The JAB Firm primarily provides consulting, advisory, and co-counsel support in criminal defense and litigation matters. Collaboration can be useful when a case presents unusual evidence, overlapping legal issues, significant consequences, or procedural complications.
Ms. Brisbois collaborates to develop a global strategy for cases involving:
No particular type of case automatically requires co-counsel. The question is whether another attorney’s perspective, experience, or resources could meaningfully contribute to the representation.
Attorney Jill Brisbois brings more than 20 years of experience handling criminal defense and litigation matters. That background includes courtroom appearances, negotiations, motion practice, case evaluation, and the strategic decisions that arise as a matter moves toward resolution or trial.
In a collaborative role, experience is only part of the equation. The second attorney must also understand how to offer meaningful input without disrupting the primary lawyer’s relationship with the client.
A client generally has one attorney they trust and rely on for day-to-day guidance. Bringing in another lawyer can strengthen the case, but it can also create confusion when roles are not clearly defined. The JAB Firm approaches collaboration with an understanding that the goal is to support the existing representation, not compete with it.
Depending on the arrangement, The JAB Firm may provide:
The specific contribution depends on what the primary attorney and client need.
A successful collaboration begins with a clear understanding of the case and what the primary attorney is seeking. The process generally starts with a confidential discussion about the legal issues, the procedural history, upcoming deadlines, and the type of support that may be useful.
From there, the attorneys can determine:
The agreed-upon responsibilities should be documented before the collaboration moves forward. That structure gives both attorneys a common understanding of the work while helping the client know what to expect.
One of the most important parts of any co-counsel or consulting arrangement is respecting the relationship the primary attorney has already established with the client.
An attorney may have spent months or years earning the client’s trust, learning the history of the matter, and guiding that person through difficult decisions. A collaborating lawyer should add value without unnecessarily changing that relationship.
The JAB Firm works with the primary attorney to determine how visible its role should be. In some cases, Jill Brisbois may communicate directly with the client and appear alongside the primary attorney. In others, her work may take place largely behind the scenes through case review and strategic consultation.
Either approach can be effective when expectations are clear. The client should understand why another attorney is involved, what that lawyer will be doing, and who remains responsible for the different parts of the case.
Legal collaboration works best when everyone involved understands their role, responsibilities are established early, and communication remains consistent throughout the matter.
The JAB Firm welcomes confidential conversations with Minnesota attorneys exploring consulting, advisory, local counsel, or co-counsel arrangements, particularly in criminal defense and litigation matters. Whether you need full co-counsel representation or an experienced second opinion before an important decision, the firm can discuss the case, the support you are seeking, and whether collaboration may be the right fit.
Contact The JAB Firm to discuss a pending matter and learn more about its legal collaboration and co-counsel services.
