LEGAL RETAINER AGREEMENT
This Agreement acknowledges the employment of _______________ Law Office,
and under the attorney of _______________ (hereinafter "Attorney") and
_______________ (hereinafter "Client") and the fee arrangement by which Attorney
will represent Client in the following matter or proceeding:
______________________________________________________________________
Client understands that Attorney cannot guarantee the results of any
proceeding and acknowledges that no representations have been made by
Attorney about the outcome of this matter.
LEGAL FEES: Legal fees for representation of Client in this proceeding are based
upon the following hourly charges:
Attorney: $__________
Paralegal or Legal Assistant: $___________
Other: _______________: $___________
Client will be charged at the above rates for all time spent on this matter. Hourly
charges may be increased with notice of at least five (5) business days. An upward
adjustment may also be made to the normal hourly charge for special demands
made upon Attorney including difficulty, whether the work is of an emergency
character, results achieved and inability to represent other clients.
COSTS AND EXPENSES: In addition to legal fees, Client is responsible for payment
of costs incurred and disbursements made on Client's behalf including, but not
limited to, photocopying costs, long distance telephone charges, postage, and fees
and expenses for any experts hired on the Client's behalf. Client agrees to pay all of
expert fees and expenses in advance.Client specifically understands that Attorney
will not advance any expert fees and expenses.
RETAINER: A retainer of $___________ is required prior to commencement of any
legal services for Client. The retainer will be applied against future billings. Attorney
will refund the unused portion, if any, of Client's retainer upon completion of all work on
Client's file.
PAYMENT OF FEES: Client will be responsible for the prompt payment of all fees
and costs incurred in excess of the retainer. Absent other arrangements made in
writing, payment is due immediately upon receipt of the billing statement. Charges
not paid by the last business day of the billing month are considered delinquent and will
bear interest at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum, or the maximum rate
allowed by law, whichever is less. In the event Attorney must take legal action to
collect Client's account, Client expressly agrees to pay all collection costs, including
reasonable Attorney fees.
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SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED: Attorney will charge Client for services which
will include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) telephone contact with Client,
Attorneys and other relevant persons; (2) case correspondence; (3) document
preparation; (4) legal research; (5) office conferences; (6) court appearances; and (7)
travel time to and from locations away from the Attorney's office. Services are billed to
Client on the basis of time expended. Each party to a legal proceeding has available
certain alternatives which will affect the amount of time and money expended in the
proceeding. Since the time spent on each matter varies, as does the nature and
amount of work necessary to achieve a desired result, Attorney makes no estimate as
to the extent of the legal service or the total amount of fees and expenses which
Client's case will require. Unless otherwise expressly stated in this Retainer
Agreement, representation does not include an appeal of your case.
COSTS OF COPYING FILE: Attorney will provide Client with contemporaneous copies
of all pleadings and correspondence when they are received or sent by Attorney.
WITHDRAWAL OF ATTORNEY: Client understands and expressly agrees that Attorney
may withdraw from representation of Client at any time if Client fails to honor the fee
arrangement therein set forth including, but not limited to, payment of fees and expenses
on a timely basis; fails to cooperate in the preparation of the case; fails to make a full and
complete disclosure of the facts and circumstances relating to the case; or otherwise
takes any action which impedes the ability of Attorney to provide adequate and ethical
representation.
THIS RETAINER AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES A LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT
BETWEEN ATTORNEY AND CLIENT. ATTORNEY ADVISES THE CLIENT TO READ THE
RETAINER AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND TO DISCUSS ANY QUESTIONS OR
CONCERNS REGARDING THE TERMS OF THE RETAINER AGREEMENT.
I hereby acknowledge that I have read this Retainer Agreement and have discussed any
questions or concerns I have regarding this Retainer Agreement and have received
a copy of the same. I agree to retain Attorney in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Retainer Agreement.
Dated: _____________________ ________________________________
Client's Signature
In consideration of the foregoing, I hereby agree to provide representation in the above
matter.
Dated: _____________________ LAW FIRM
By
______________________________
Attorney's Signature
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