[From: Free Document Downloads at TheSmallBusinessOwnersManual.com] This document should be used as a standard attorney retainer agreement The following text of this document should be reviewed and edited to fit your purposes. [Find, then fill-in, or delete text in brackets like this: “[NNN]” If there are dates in this document, they will automatically change to today’s date.
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Otherwise the following text should be reviewed and edited as needed:
[LAW FIRM] Legal Firm Letterhead, Letter addressed to client Re: [LEGAL MATTER DESCRIPTION] Dear [SMALL BUSINESS ENTITY]: You have asked our law firm to represent [SMALL BUSINESS ENTITY] as its attorney in matters involving a corporate contractual dispute in [location]. Our firm is pleased to do so on behalf of [SMALL BUSINESS ENTITY]. This letter sets forth our complete agreement concerning our representation of you. It shall become effective upon receipt from you of a signed copy of this agreement. 1. You have been asked to deposit with our firm a retainer fee of $[N] which is paid to assure our availability and our commitment to represent you. This retainer fee shall be applied against your final bill. You understand that any fee we have estimated to you was based solely on information you provided at our initial meeting, and is subject to change based on developments in your case. 2. Your total fee shall be based primarily on our hourly charges. It may also be related to the degree of difficulty of your case and any unusual or extraordinary factors in this matter. It is impossible to tell in advance the amount of time your case will require or the total cost of your case. We will keep a record of all time devoted to your case, including telephone calls, office conferences, travel time, and other professional time expended. There may be additional costs for you to advance or pay when billed, including, additional court costs, deposition costs, expense of investigation or expert witness fees. Naturally, only some or none of these costs may apply to your case. You agree to reimburse us for the necessary filing fees and costs when billed for the same. 3. I will be the primary attorney in our firm responsible for your case, but some work may be performed by a legal intern, whose hourly rates will be less than mine. My hourly rate is $145.00 per hour; our senior attorney is billed at a rate of $210.00 per hour and work done by legal interns is billed at $60.00 per hour. 4. If at any time any amount due under this agreement becomes delinquent for failure to pay or otherwise, [LAW FIRM]., or any person on our behalf shall be entitled to receive prejudgment interest in the amount of ten percent (10%) per year or the maximum rate allowed by [STATE] law, whichever is greater. [LAW FIRM] failure to collect any such interest shall not act as a waiver of our right to recover said interest in the future. Finally, [Law Firm], shall be entitled to receive all costs and fees incurred to collect past due amounts. 5. During the time of our representation of your company, our hourly rates may increase. If that should occur, your statements will reflect the new billing rates from the time it becomes effective. We will bill you monthly for work done on your case on a time
expended basis. At that time you will be expected to make regular payments to keep your account current. 6. You understand and agree that we have made no guarantees regarding the outcome of your case, nor have we made any statements not consistent with this agreement. 7. We shall make every effort to expedite your case and to make certain that you should receive fair treatment. We shall keep you informed as to the progress of your case, and shall send you copies of all papers coming into and going out of our office, including correspondence and legal documents in your case. If we are not available when you telephone, your call will be returned as promptly as possible. 8. Our fees described herein do not include post-trial matters, appeals, and collection of judgments. Upon satisfactory resolution of visitation issues pursuant to Orders from the Court, the case shall be completed unless you and our firm agree that we are to assist you in additional matters. If you agree with the terms of this Agreement, please sign and return one copy to us. [LAW FIRM] By: _______________________
This letter correctly sets forth our agreement and understanding and I concur with all terms. Dated [DATE]. [SMALL BUSINESS ENTITY] By: _______________________________ Small Business Owner