Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism and a commitment to equitable, efficient, and effective justice in Illinois.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke with attorney Mathew Kerbis, the founder of Subscription Attorney LLC, where he provides general practice transactional services.
According to its website, Subscription Attorney offers unbundled and limited-scope legal services to clients at different subscription levels.
As the “Subscription Attorney,” Mathew says he focuses on upstream legal problems and helping clients avoid expensive legal problems. His work includes prenups, simple estate plans, real estate transactions, general contracts, and legal issue spotting and advice.
Mathew also serves as a fractional general counsel for solopreneurs and businesses, providing the support of a traditional in-house attorney as well as non-legal strategic advice.
How do you remain civil in tense situations?
Mathew: Since I help clients before their legal problem happens or prevent it from getting worse, I typically don’t encounter tense situations. When I do, I remain calm and try to have empathy/sympathy for my client (or potential client).
What is an attorney’s role in furthering public confidence in the rule of law?
Mathew: Educating clients about the law and how it applies to their situation is crucial in furthering public confidence in the rule of law. That’s part of the reason I started the Law for Kids podcast. When you’re not billing time as a source of revenue, you can spend the extra time educating clients.
What do you think is the biggest challenge impacting lawyers today?
Mathew: The biggest challenge is the billable hour as a diminishing source of revenue in light of technological advancements including automations and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).
Using subscriptions and flat fees has been more profitable to lawyers who leverage automations for a long time, but it’s more obvious than ever thanks to GenAI.
The billable hour is also, in my opinion, a large contributing factor to attorney burnout, lack of well-being, lack of diversity and retention of women and attorneys of color at larger law firms, and lack of access to justice.
What do you do for fun?
Mathew: I create content for fun! Whether it’s my new Law for Kids Podcast, the Law Subscribed podcast, the DFT Podcast for a local community theater program, or thought leadership on LinkedIn. I also have a lot of fun with my three-year-old daughter, including when she lends her voice to the Law for Kids Podcast.
Our Professionalism Spotlight recognizes legal professionals throughout Illinois who are admired for their professionalism and civility. Check out more interviews here.
Professionalism Spotlight: Kristen Sonday, Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin
Lawyer Spotlight: Jesse Hodierne, Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.
Professionalism Spotlight: Katherine Shank, CEO/Executive Director of Legal Aid Chicago