Path 02
Counsel Affiliation
Independent counsel. A shared approach to digitally enabled practice.
A Michigan-first affiliation pathway built around structured intake, client-aligned workflows, defined responsibilities, and attorney-led delivery.
What this pathway is — and is not
Counsel affiliation through The Underwood Group is not employment, not a partnership, and not a referral pool. It is a structured pathway for independent Michigan-licensed attorneys who want to deliver legal services within a defined, digitally enabled framework.
Affiliated counsel remain independent. They are not employees or partners of the firm. The affiliation provides access to LawVocate — the firm's practice infrastructure — along with structured intake, defined client workflows, and a shared commitment to governed delivery.
This pathway is Michigan-first. Affiliated counsel must be licensed to practice law in Michigan.
LawVocate — the practice infrastructure
LawVocate is the firm's proprietary practice infrastructure. It supports structured intake, matter tracking, client-aligned communication, and defined delivery workflows.
Affiliated counsel access LawVocate as part of the affiliation. It is not a standalone product and is not available outside of the affiliation pathway.
Use of LawVocate is governed by the LawVocate Terms of Use and EULA. Affiliated counsel are required to review and accept those terms as part of the affiliation process. LawVocate Terms of Use and EULA.
How affiliated practice works
Structured intake
Client matters enter through a defined intake process. Affiliated counsel are assigned matters that fit their practice area and capacity. No cold referrals, no unvetted inquiries.
Defined responsibilities
Each engagement defines what counsel is responsible for, what the client is responsible for, and what the firm's infrastructure supports. Ambiguity is addressed before work begins.
Attorney-led delivery
Affiliated counsel lead their matters. The infrastructure supports delivery — it does not replace attorney judgment, supervision, or professional responsibility.
Governed workflows
Client communication, matter documentation, and delivery milestones follow defined workflows. This protects clients, counsel, and the integrity of the engagement.
Who this pathway is designed for
- Michigan-licensed attorneys in independent practice
- Counsel seeking a structured, digitally enabled practice framework
- Attorneys aligned with defined-scope, client-transparent delivery
- Independent practitioners who want infrastructure without employment
Inquiry and confidentiality
Submitting an affiliation inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship, an employment relationship, or any binding commitment between the inquiring attorney and The Underwood Group.
Do not include client information, matter details, or confidential data in an affiliation inquiry. The inquiry process is for counsel exploring the pathway — not for submitting client matters.
Explore counsel affiliation
Begin by telling us about your practice. The firm will review your inquiry and respond with whether the affiliation pathway is a fit and what the next step looks like.
Begin a ConversationNo attorney-client relationship is formed by submitting an inquiry. Do not include confidential information in your initial message.
No attorney-client or employment relationship is formed by submitting an inquiry. Do not include client or matter information in your initial message.