How It Works

General

Aliunde provides a web-based service corporate clients use to bid out legal projects. The system is intuitive and entirely web-based. It does not require special software, training, or the involvement of any consultants. Aliunde works by providing a simplified, non-binding request for proposal (RFP) system. Potential clients post information about specific projects, which Aliunde facilitates by prompting for information about the potential legal matter and the client’s engagement preferences. The posting client controls which law firms can view the RFP and also controls whether to identify itself and a point of contact or remain anonymous. Law firms, in turn, have the ability to see listings of RFPs made available to them, to view the details of those RFPs, and to provide non-binding responses. Potential clients receive all RFP responses in an organized and easy to compare format. Clients can then follow up offline as appropriate.

Aliunde is much faster and easier than traditional RFP processes because:

  • It provides frameworks for RFPs and responses
  • These frameworks focus on the key information required by users
  • The non-binding nature of responses eliminates the need for minutely detailed communications, complicated negotiations and many internal procedures
  • The system provides an easy means to control and organize communications

How It Works for Clients

Registration as a Client

In order to access the RFP system, potential clients must first register with Aliunde. Registration takes only a few minutes and is free for all client users.

Creating RFPs

Once registered, a potential client can create and submit RFPs. The RFP creation process on Aliunde prompts potential clients to provide information regarding a variety of topics. The prompts are straightforward: 

Some information is required, such as the deadline for response. Other information, such as a cover letter, is optional. The RFP process is designed to elicit key information law firms need to provide meaningful responses while remaining flexible enough to accommodate the degree of information (and thus effort) appropriate to the project.

Each RFP covers the following topics:

  • Introductory information (e.g., a cover letter)
  • General information about the potential client (e.g., company name and approximate annual revenue)
  • Information about the matter (e.g., a description of the project and its anticipated start date)
  • Staffing preferences (e.g., preferences relating to the lead attorney's qualifications)
  • Technology and diversity requirements (e.g., compatibility with specific ebilling software)
  • Attachments (e.g., a copy of a complaint)
  • Engagement preferences and requirements (e.g., whether a fixed fee or other alternative billing arrangement is preferred)
  • Rule 1.18 informed consent (i.e., whether the posting client is providing a Rule 1.18 informed consent with respect to the information contained in the RFP)
  • Contact information for the person posting the RFP
  • Which law firms can view the RFP (e.g., all registered law firms or only specifically identified firms)

Once the RFP has been completed, the potential client can post the RFP, which makes it visible to law firms. Potential clients can make the RFP broadly visible or restrict access to specified firms. There is a nominal fee for posting RFPs, but most clients will be entitled to a fee waiver. For these clients, use of Aliunde will be entirely free of charge. To inquire about a fee waiver, contact us at sales@aliunde.com or (312) 878-6777.

Managing RFPs

Managing RFPs with Aliunde is simple. We provide a single page listing all RFPs, the status of each (i.e., "Draft", "Open" or "Closed"), the number of responses received, and other information. The potential client can use this page to amend an RFP and access responses, among other things.

Viewing Responses

Responses to an RFP are presented in a summary table and can also be viewed in detail.

The summary table identifies each responding firm and key metrics from each response, such as proposed staffing, proposed fee structure, and estimated fees:

The details of each response follow the same format:

Please see Viewing and Responding to RFPs below for a summary of the information provided in responses.

The non-binding responses provide the potential client with a significant amount of comparable information from interested law firms. This information can then serve as the basis for offline follow-up by the potential client. 

Benefits

Aliunde allows clients to:

  • Quickly find new counsel
  • Minimize the need to create and manage new relationships
  • Efficiently collect multiple bids for matters
  • Compare, sort, and manage responses
  • Create a competitive environment for legal work
  • Make more informed engagement decisions

How It Works for Law Firms

Registration as a Law Firm or Individual Lawyer

In order to view and respond to RFPs, a lawyer must first register with Aliunde. A lawyer can register either as an individual lawyer or as a law firm. Please see our FAQ for the differences between registering as a law firm and as an individual lawyer.

Viewing and Responding to RFPs

Once registered, law firms can use Aliunde to view and respond to RFPs.

RFPs visible to the law firm are listed in a summary format that provides information about the potential client, the matter, and the RFP process:

Each listed RFP can be viewed in detail by the law firm. The details of each RFP follow the same format. That format is designed to provide the information needed for law firms to assess the RFP and prepare a meaningful response. Please see Creating RFPs above for a summary of the information provided in RFPs.

The response creation process uses a straightforward online system, which prompts law firms to respond to the information, requirements, and preferences expressed by the posting client. Some information is required, such as the identity and qualifications of the proposed lead attorney and preliminary minimum and maximum fee estimates. Other information, such as a cover letter and general law firm credentials, is optional. Because some RFPs require more detailed responses than others, the Aliunde system is flexible enough to accommodate a range in the level of response detail. 

Each response covers:

  • Introductory information (e.g., a cover letter)
  • General information about the responding law firm (e.g., name, size and conflicts check status)
  • Information about the proposed lead attorney (e.g., contact information, education and relevant experience)
  • Information about the rest of the proposed team
  • Information about the law firm's qualifications 
  • Ability to meet any technology or diversity program requirements expressed by the potential client
  • Proposed engagement terms (e.g., fee structure and non-binding minimum and maximum fee estimates) 

Responses are non-binding; any engagements take place offline. Once submitted, the response becomes visible to the potential client that posted the RFP, which can then follow up with the responding law firms.

Benefits

For law firms, Aliunde provides a highly direct and credible marketing channel. Aliunde allows law firms to:

  • Access new clients
  • Secure new projects from existing clients
  • See market demand for legal services
  • Showcase credentials to in-house counsel and other corporate decision makers