Engagement Letter Template (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

is not privileged we treat as confidential.

Our ethical rules define the limited

circumstances in which we can disclose confidential information. If you have any

questions about privilege or confidentiality, please feel free to ask them.

Time needed

Legal matters sometimes take considerable time to resolve.

[Set out your estimate of the time required for this file and include any

contingencies that might change that estimate. Also, state any time limitations

that might apply.]

Charges for our services

[Set out the basis on which your fees will be determined in sufficient detail to

comply with the Code of Professional Conduct, Chapter 13, Rule 2. Some sample

clauses follow; use only the clause that applies to your agreement with this

client.]

[1. Hourly rate or time basis]

We charge by the hour for the time we spend on the matter. Our charges include the

time we spend on telephone calls, meetings, preparation, sending correspondence,

receiving and reviewing correspondence drafting documents, travel, reviewing

documents and files, research, court appearances, and generally all time spend providing

your legal services. We record the time and services rendered and, where appropriate,

will include that record in the bills we send you.

The current hourly rates for the lawyers who will be working for you are: [Set out

lawyers and charge rates.] We’ll notify you before changing these rates. If you have any

questions about our rates, please ask.

[2. Hourly rate or time basis, with value review on completion of matter]

[Repeat the information in number 1 above and add:]

We may adjust your final bill up or down to a fair and reasonable amount based on

factors such as:

a) the nature of the matter, its difficulty and urgency, its importance to you, its

monetary value, and the need for special skills or services

b) the results we obtained

c) the likelihood, if made known to you, that accepting this retainer will mean

that we are unable to accept other employment

d) any estimate we have given you

e) the direct costs we incur in providing the services

[3. Flat-rate charge]

Our fee will be $ [amount], plus disbursements and other charges. This flat-rate quote

assumes that we can complete your matter as anticipated when the quote was given. We

may have to increase the fee if the matter becomes significantly more complex or time-

consuming than we originally estimated.

[4. Contingency fees]

Engagement Letter Template Page 2