Agreement For Legal Services Template (Page 3 of 5) in pdf

Hourly rates are subject to adjustment once per calendar year; you will be given no

less than sixty (60) days’ notice of any proposed adjustments in hourly rates. In

addition, the Attorney will bill the client for costs incurred for this matter. Costs

may include copying, outside printing, word processing, facsimile, telephone

(including long distance and conference call charges), online research, delivery

services/messengers, postage, local travel, out-of-town travel, meals, court fees,

subpoena fees, witness fees, deposition transcripts, trial transcripts, trial exhibits,

litigation support vendors, experts, private investigators, arbitrators/mediators,

and/or local counsel. Client is ultimately responsible for all costs advanced for this

matter.

Bills are sent monthly. Client has paid $____________as an advanced fee deposit

that is deposited in Attorney’s IOLTA account. Legal fees and costs will be charged

against this balance.

Bills are sent monthly, and you will be given not less than ten (10) days to review

your bill before any legal fees and costs are paid from the funds on deposit in the

IOLTA account.

Unless other arrangements have been agreed to in writing,

payment in full is due within twenty (20) days of the date of the billing statement.

3. Mutual Obligations

--The mutual obligations of the attorney and the client

are described below.

Make sure to accurately characterize any funds paid to you before any work is performed for the client.

Retainer is the amount payable for securing the availability of the lawyer for a period of time.

Advanced Fee Deposit is the amount payable that goes into the lawyer’s IOLTA account and is gradually

drawn out for fees, costs, and expenses. Consider using an “evergreen” advanced fee deposit. Evergreen means that

the balance is never zero:

"This acknowledges receipt of your advance fee deposit for fees and costs in the amount of

$________. Payment for our services and costs will be drawn against this amount and reported to

you. We will bill you for an additional advanced fees and costs deposit whenever the current

balance is below $1,000.00. We thank you in advance for timely remittance of your additional

advanced fees and costs deposits. Our efforts on your matter may cease if an advanced fees and

costs deposit is overdue."

Duties of Lawyer and Client—Clients often have little idea of what is expected of them during a matter.

Consider including as many of these statements as make sense for your practice:

The lawyer will

Confer with you to pinpoint the problem.

Advise you of your rights and responsibilities.

Be candid with you about your problem, your prospects for success, the time it will take, and the advisability of

accepting any settlement offered.

Research and analyze all available facts and information relating to your problem.

Represent your interests in and out of court.

Prepare appropriate legal documents.

Prepare legal arguments for presentation in court, if litigation is involved.

Negotiate a settlement (when possible and advisable).

Act with reasonable diligence and promptness.

Keep you reasonably informed about the status of your case.

Return your telephone calls and answer your questions or concerns.

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Agreement For Legal Services Template Page 3

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