When it makes sense
- Your attorney is on retainer and would handle any suit anyway.
- You have complex litigation exposure and want counsel to see everything first.
- Their office meets the requirement and has a process for handling service.
When it causes trouble
- Changing firms. You leave the firm, but it remains on your record until someone files an update.
- Retirement or moves. A sole practitioner closing an office can leave you with an outdated record.
- Unclear scope. Ask if they bill for handling, and who gets notified. A summons sitting in a file for a vacationing lawyer doesn't help.
- Cost. Some firms charge a yearly fee above what a commercial agent would.
Questions to ask them
- Who in the office receives service, and what do they do with it that day?
- Who's the backup when that person is out?
- Do you charge for this?
- What happens if we stop working together?
A middle path
You can have a commercial agent hold the address while your attorney gets a parallel alert. On our service, your attorney can be a named contact with attorney-role access, and they see documents when you do. That keeps your attorney in the loop without tying your state record to the firm.
Firms that want out
If your firm is listed as agent for many clients, there's an option for that too. See professional accounts.
Questions
Does being my agent make the lawyer my lawyer in a case?
Not by itself. Serving as an agent and representing you in a suit are different roles. Confirm any representation with the attorney directly.
Is what the agent receives privileged?
A summons is not a confidential communication between a lawyer and client. Discuss privilege questions with your attorney.
Reviewed by Sean Webb, owner of Ohio Registered Statutory Agent LLC. Updated 2026-11-06. General information, not legal advice.