FAQ — How the Relevant MSO Platform Works

Answers on ownership, fees, and the MSO model — how Relevant supports independent law firms without sharing in legal fees or practicing law.

Frequently Asked Questions — How the Relevant MSO Platform Works

Understanding the Managed Services Organization model and how it empowers independent law firms within the Relevant network.

The MSO Model

What is a legal MSO, and how does the model work? A management-services organization is a separate company that may provide contracted nonlegal business and administrative services. The attorney-owned law firm and RMS remain separate, and the firm's lawyers retain professional authority as required by applicable rules.

Is the MSO model permitted under legal-ethics rules? There is no model-wide answer. The governing jurisdiction, documents, compensation, ownership, permissions, and actual operation all matter. Qualified counsel should review the complete arrangement under current applicable authority.

What's the difference between an MSO and an ABS? An alternative business structure, or ABS, is a regulatory category available in certain jurisdictions that can permit forms of nonlawyer ownership or investment. An MSO is a business-services arrangement. The differences—and whether either is permitted—depend on the jurisdiction and the actual terms and operation.

Is this a new, untested idea? The management-services model is established in a range of professions. Whether a particular legal-services arrangement is permitted depends on applicable law and its actual terms and operation.

Is joining Relevant a franchise? Depending on the relationship and jurisdiction, franchise or business-opportunity laws may apply. Nothing on this website is an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise or license. Any offering is made only through the applicable disclosure and agreement process.

Fees & Ownership

Do you charge a royalty or take a percentage of our fees? No. RMS is paid fixed fees or fixed per-seat fees for defined nonlegal brand, platform, technology, and administrative services. RMS does not take a percentage of revenue, share legal fees, or receive compensation based on recoveries, settlements, or legal outcomes.

How are Relevant's fees structured? RMS is paid fixed fees or fixed per-seat fees for defined nonlegal services. Its compensation does not move with a firm's revenue, profit, recoveries, or case outcomes. Applicable authority and the actual arrangement still require fact-specific review.

Is there an investment to join? A completed relationship may involve a one-time build-out fee and fixed fees or fixed per-seat fees for defined nonlegal services. Specific terms are provided only through the applicable disclosure and agreement process.

Do I keep ownership of my firm? The attorney-owned law firm retains ownership and professional authority as required by applicable rules. RMS does not acquire or own the firm or its clients.

Do I get an exclusive market? Market and brand rights, if any, arise only from final written agreements. An inquiry or discussion does not reserve a market, award an opportunity, or grant a brand right.

The Practice of Law

Does Relevant Management Services provide legal services? No. RMS is a nonlegal management-services organization, not a law firm, and does not provide legal services or legal advice. Legal services are provided only by the applicable attorney-owned law firm and its licensed attorneys.

Who controls the legal work and the client relationship? The attorney-owned law firm controls professional judgment, client acceptance, conflicts, legal fees, legal staffing and supervision, legal strategy and judgment, trust functions, and client funds.

Does Relevant handle client funds or trust accounts? No. RMS does not receive, hold, or control client funds or trust-account activity. A firm's lawyers exclusively control trust permissions, transactions, reconciliations, and records.

Who employs my firm's attorneys and staff? The attorney-owned firm does. RMS may provide candidate sourcing, threshold screening, scheduling, and verification administration. The firm alone decides professional competence, conflicts, engagement, legal staffing and supervision, invoice approval, payment, and tax reporting.

What is Ellis, and who controls it? Ellis is a technology toolset deployed under each firm's direction. It does not provide legal advice or make client-acceptance, fee, or strategy decisions. The firm's lawyers review any output used in legal services.

Your Firm on the Platform

What exactly does Relevant handle for my firm? RMS may provide defined nonlegal branding, marketing, technology, operating-account bookkeeping, practice-management tooling, recruiting support, and administrative services. The attorney-owned firm controls its legal work and professional functions.

Who's responsible for running my practice? The attorney-owned firm remains responsible for the practice. RMS provides only the defined nonlegal services in the parties' agreement and does not control the firm or its legal work.

How is this a modern approach to law? RMS may provide technology, automation, and administrative tools while the attorney-owned firm retains control of legal services and professional judgment.

Can I bring my existing firm onto the platform? RMS may provide defined nonlegal support to an existing attorney-owned firm under the parties' agreement.

Can you help me grow through acquisition? RMS may provide defined nonlegal administrative support. Any legal, professional, or transactional decision remains with the applicable attorney-owned firm and its advisors.

What happens if my firm leaves the platform? The attorney-owned firm retains its clients, files, client relationships, and client data as required by applicable rules and agreements. Any brand or infrastructure rights are governed by the parties' written agreement.