Agreement To Employ Attorney
Agreement To Employ Attorney
1. CONDITIONS.
This agreement will not take effect, and Attorney will have no obligation to provide
legal services, until Client returns a signed copy of this Agreement and pays the
deposit called for under paragraph three.
Attorney shall provide those legal services reasonably required to represent Client,
and shall take reasonable steps to keep Client informed of progress and to respond to
Client’s inquiries. Client shall be truthful with Attorney, cooperate in the preparation
and trial of the case, appear on reasonable notice for depositions and Court
appearances, keep Attorney informed of developments, abide by this Agreement, pay
Attorney’s bills on time and keep Attorney advised of Client’s address, telephone
number, and whereabouts. Client agrees not to compromise the claim without
discussing the matter with Attorney, in advance, and Attorney is not authorized to
compromise the claim without Client’s consent.
3. DEPOSIT.
Client agrees to pay Attorney a retainer fee deposit at the time Attorney is hired,
which money is to be held in trust. A normal retainer fee deposit is AUD $5,000.00. -
&15,000.00 or in IDR. 50.000.000,00 - IDR 150.000.000,00 Such retainer and any
other such replenishing payments, must be remitted to the Firm Administrator for
deposit. Cases in which hearing dates are already set and pending, or that will
otherwise require extraordinary immediate efforts, may require a larger retainer fee
deposit, which is specified at the end of Section 2 below if applicable.
Client hereby authorizes Attorney to withdraw sums from the trust account to pay the
costs, expenses, and fees for legal services incurred in Client’s case. However, it is
intended that the retainer fee deposit will be held and used as a security deposit until
the conclusion of the case and Client’s payment of all outstanding costs, expenses,
and fees for legal services. Attorney will charge all costs, expenses, and fees for legal
services incurred during each monthly billing cycle against the retainer fee deposit,
and all such charges against Client’s account are to be replenished within 14 days
from the date of mailing of each Semi-Monthly statement. Failure by the Client to
replenish the original retainer fee deposit to its original amount within 14 days of
receipt of the statement will be cause for Attorney to withdraw from the case.
In other words, Client agrees to pay Attorney in advance for all work to be performed,
by maintaining at all times a retainer fee deposit which is to be replenished within 14
days of the Semi- Monthly statement, each statement, during the course of Attorney’s
representation.
The retainer fee deposit is fully refundable. Any money not used for costs, expenses,
and fees for legal services will be refunded to the Client at the conclusion of the case.
No portion of any “flat fee” specified in this Agreement for specific items will be
refunded, even if the accrued costs and fees are less than the non-refundable fee.
Client acknowledges that the normal operation of Attorney’s office has been
explained, and specifically that communications are normally maintained through the
paralegal staff, and that the “team approach” utilized in Attorney’s office makes it
likely that different tasks will be attended to by different people. Client understands
that calls should normally be placed to, and normally will be returned by, the
paralegal case manager assigned by Attorney to manage Client’s case. Client
understands that documents will frequently be drafted by one member of Attorney’s
office staff (often a paralegal), and then reviewed or edited by another (usually an
attorney), sometimes going through multiple drafts or reviews until completed,
depending on the nature of the document.
Client has been informed that Attorney’s usual mode of keeping clients informed
about the status of pending matters in this office is to copy all incoming and outgoing
written communications, and Client has been directed to retain all such copies, and
periodic billing statements, so that Client’s file should be virtually identical to
Attorney’s file as the case progresses.
Client understands that Attorney’s office works by appointment and scheduling, such
that all client meetings must be by appointment. In the absence of other arrangement
made in advance by an attorney in Attorney’s office, appointments for office visits
should be made through the paralegal case manager assigned to the case.
As a general proposition, everything you tell us, or we tell you, is and will be treated
as confidential information, protected by the “attorney-client privilege” against
disclosure. There are certain rare exceptions. For example, we might be required to
reveal information necessary to prevent death or substantial bodily harm. However, if
the client shares privileged information with third parties it loses that protection – the
third party (even relatives or financial backers) can be deposed or examined at trial as
to what they know and why they know it. Additionally, the applicable ethics rules
prohibit us from taking direction from, or giving confidential information to, a third
party who happens to be supporting the client, or paying the client’s legal costs.
In certain extremely rare circumstances, we permit contact by, and either taking
information from, or giving information to, such third parties, at our sole discretion.
The normal rule, however, and what you should expect to apply, is that we will not
respond to inquiries from any third party, no matter how trusted they might be by the
client, and third parties may not be the conduit for the passing of confidential
information to, or from, the client.
5. LEGAL FEES.
Client agrees to pay for legal services at the following rates: $550 per hour for
Marshal S. Willick, Esq., $325 to $450 per hour for Senior associates, $200 to $300
per hour for Junior associates, and $110 to $200 per hour for paralegals/legal
assistants. All personnel billing for their time will do so in 1/10 of an hour (i.e., six
minute) increments, and will round to the nearest such increment.
Client agrees that these fees are reasonable on the basis of Attorney’s ability, training,
education, experience, professional standing and skill, and the difficulty, intricacy,
importance, and time and skill required to perform the work to be done.
It is understood by Client that ALL time expended by personnel in Attorney’s office
on Client’s case should be expected to be billed at the rate for those personnel. It is
not possible to list all the work that may be required in working on Client’s case, but
it is understood that such work (by attorneys, or legal assistants/paralegals) includes
time spent on phone calls to or from Client, or on Client’s behalf, reviewing or
handling incoming documents from Client, the opposing party, the Court, or any third
party, and drafting, preparing, editing, reviewing, etc., pleadings, letters, documents,
or
In short, Client is informed and understands that the time spent by the personnel of
Attorney’s office attending to Client’s case will normally be billed at the rate of the
persons who spent the time.
Client authorizes Attorney to use associate counsel, legal assistants, or paralegals for
such work on this case as Attorney might deem appropriate. Such persons shall be
billed at their regular billing rate. Client acknowledges and agrees that such staff
personnel may be utilized whenever deemed appropriate, and directs Attorney to
apportion work at Attorney’s discretion.
Under certain circumstances, more than one member of Attorney’s staff may work on
a matter for Client simultaneously, in which case both members of Attorney’s staff
should be expected to bill for the time spent. An example would include a trial or
contested evidentiary hearing, during which in Attorney’s discretion the full
participation of more than one person is necessary to properly attend to Client’s case.
The same rules apply to sequential or duplicative work. For example, it might be
necessary to charge Client for a paralegal or attorney to review some or all of the case
file, where immediate familiarity with the facts is required in preparation for a
hearing, etc. However, Client will normally not be charged for time spent that is
attributable to Attorney’s internal staffing assignments, etc., such as one case manager
reviewing a file when taking over a file from another case manager.
Notwithstanding the expectation that all time spent on Client’s case will be billed,
Attorney may, at Attorney’s discretion, elect to “write off” or “no charge” certain
time actually expended by attorneys or legal assistants/paralegals on Client’s behalf.
Client acknowledges being on notice that any such write-offs are discretionary by
Attorney, and are expressly contingent on there being no dispute regarding payment
of the remaining items billed to the Client. As specified below in the section of this
Agreement labeled “STATEMENTS, BILLING INQUIRIES, AND FEE
DISPUTES,” all “no charge” or “written off” costs, expenses, and fees for legal
services will be considered payable in full in the event of a formal dispute or
adjudication of a lien, regarding Client’s bill.
The hourly fees quoted above are subject to increase from time to time. Attorney will
give notice in writing at least thirty days prior to any increase in hourly fees. If Client
does not wish to be charged at the new rates, Client agrees to pay Attorney in full for
services up to the date of the expected increase and terminate representation by
Attorney. Client understands that if Attorney continues to represent Client past the
date of the increase, the new fees will be in effect and Client agrees to pay those
increased fees for all services rendered thereafter. Likewise, Attorney may modify
other terms of this Agreement, similarly notifying Client thirty days in advance of the
change, and with the same options for Client to terminate representation, and the same
result (the new Agreement goes into effect) if Client does not terminate representation
and Attorney continues to represent Client past the date of the proposed change.
If a Court awards attorney’s fees to Client (or to Attorney on Client’s behalf), and
such sums are actually collected, they shall be applied against any outstanding
charges on Client’s bill. Client, however, remains responsible for payment of
Attorney’s services. A court order awarding attorney’s
fees from the opposing party does not relieve Client of the primary responsibility for
paying Attorney’s bill, or make any work done to collect the attorney’s fees awarded
any different from any other work performed by Attorney. Any attorney’s fees
awarded and actually collected that are not needed to pay Client’s bill with Attorney
(or replenish the retainer fee deposit) shall be paid to Client.
Likewise, Client is aware that the Court could order Client to pay fees or costs to the
other side of a case.
An initial, non-refundable, $25.00 will be billed to Client, from the first funds
deposited with Attorney, to purchase the initial file materials, videotape, folders, etc.,
and to pay for access to the computer-assisted legal research service reserved for all
cases in the event access to the service is needed.
Client agrees that if Attorney advances or incurs any costs in this case, including but
not limited to costs of investigation, filing fees or other court fees, depositions,
process server or witness fees, photographs, exhibits, outside photocopying, the
expenses incurred incident to travel on Client’s behalf (including lodging and meals),
messenger and other delivery fees, parking, consultant’s fees, express mail charges,
timed-increment computer research charges, or other similar items, such charges will
be paid by Client out of funds on retainer or promptly upon being billed.
B. EXPERTS, CONSULTANTS, AND INVESTIGATORS
It may become necessary in the preparation of Client’s case for Attorney to hire
expert witnesses, consultants, and/or investigators. Attorney will not hire such persons
unless Client agrees to pay their fees and charges, but Attorney will select which such
persons should be hired. It is understood that Client’s refusal to authorize hiring of
such persons, when considered necessary by Attorney, could greatly injure Client’s
case, and if the absence of such persons makes it impossible, in Attorney’s discretion,
to continue with the case, Attorney may withdraw from the case.
Should Client remit a payment to this office by way of check and it is returned for
insufficient funds or stop payment, a $25.00 returned check fee will be assessed to
Client.
Attorney will send Client periodic statements (semi-monthly) for costs, expenses, and
fees for legal services incurred. The sum indicated on such statements is owed upon
generation of the statement, and must be paid within 14 days of the statement date.
Normally, Client should have a retainer fee deposit in Attorney’s trust account on the
date that statements are generated, in which case the costs, expenses, and fees for
legal services owed by Client to Attorney will be paid out of the Client’s trust
In the event Client does not fully replenish the retainer fee deposit within 14 days of a
billing statement, Attorney shall have the option of immediately withdrawing from
representation. Interest at the rate of 18 percent annually (11⁄2 percent per month) will
be charged on any unpaid balance in excess of the sum held as a retainer fee deposit,
beginning on the date a statement showing such an outstanding balance is generated.
The interest provision is not an agreement to extend credit, but is a method of
compensating Attorney for delayed payment.
Obviously, it is possible for mistakes to happen, and Client is not expected to pay for
any charges that are incorrect. Client may call or e-mail Attorney’s office with an
inquiry concerning billing statements (directed to the Firm Administrator). Most
actual errors can be resolved with a simple phone call, and Attorney’s staff will
inform Client whether a mistake is acknowledged, and promptly send an amended
statement showing any adjustment or correction resulting from any such call.
Whether or not Client calls with such an inquiry, any dispute as to the accuracy or
validity of any billed charges, or requests for adjustment of any costs, expenses, or
fees for legal services billed to Client must be made in writing to Attorney’s Firm
Administrator within thirty days of the date of the statement containing that cost,
expense, or fee for legal services. If Client does not do so within thirty days of a
billing statement, the statement will be conclusively presumed to be correct.
In other words, if Client does not contact us in writing within thirty days of a billing
statement, Client will have irrevocably agreed that the statement is accurate and
correct. Any person ever reviewing any dispute regarding charges on a billing
statement is asked to honor this provision, since it is an essential term to Attorney’s
agreement to represent Client in this case.
As stated above, while Client should presume that all time spent attending to Client’s
case by any member of Attorney’s staff will be billed, Attorney may elect to “write
off” or “no charge” some costs, expenses, and fees for legal services. Any such write-
offs are discretionary by Attorney, and are expressly contingent on there being no
dispute regarding payment of the remaining items billed to Client, initiated by either
Attorney or Client.
If Attorney files a lien to recover unpaid fees and/or costs incurred on client’s behalf,
or if Client seeks to formally dispute Attorney’s billings, by initiating mediation,
arbitration, litigation, or a fee dispute in any forum, all “write off” or “no charge”
costs, expenses, and fees for legal services reflected on any statement to Client will
revert to being fully billed, and be additional sums owed to Attorney by Client, in
addition to the sum disputed by Client.
These provisions are explicitly written to prevent a situation where Attorney reduces
Client’s bill by writing off costs, expenses, and fees for legal services during a case,
and then Client seeks to reduce the sums owed further by disputing Client’s
responsibility to pay the reduced sum. They are intended to provide incentives for
both Attorney and Client to resolve, informally and promptly, any questions or
concerns about the legitimacy of any item billed on any statement, and to provide
certainty that once a statement is thirty days old, the costs, expenses, and fees for legal
services reflected on that statement are agreed by Attorney and Client to have been
accurate and correct.
In accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code, no payments made to Attorney for
less than the full sum owed shall constitute payment in full, even if that notation is
placed on the payment instrument, unless Attorney and Client both sign a separate
written agreement specifically permitting such payment to constitute a payment-in-
full.
Client agrees to pay any fees and costs that are incurred by Attorney to collect fees,
costs, or expenses from Client, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
8. LIENS AND ADJUDICATION.
Client hereby grants Attorney a lien on any and all claims or causes of action that are
related to the subject of Attorney’s representation under this Agreement. Attorney’s
lien will be for any sums due and owing to Attorney at the conclusion of Attorney’s
services. The lien will attach to any recovery Client may obtain, whether by
arbitration award, judgment, settlement, or otherwise. Any amounts received by
Attorney’s office on Client’s behalf may be used to pay Client’s account.
Attorney will retain possession of Client’s file and all information therein until full
payment of all costs, expenses, and fees for legal services, subject to turnover or
destruction of the file as set out in Paragraph 9. Client consents to the district court’s
adjudication of any such lien and during the pendency of the underlying action
without requiring the filing of a separate action, regardless of whether any other
action might be or has been filed by either Attorney or Client against the other,
including any action alleging malpractice.
Client may discharge Attorney at any time, although Client understands that court
rules might still require Attorney to file a motion to withdraw. Attorney may
withdraw at any time at Attorney’s discretion. In either such circumstance, Client
agrees to sign the documents necessary to permit Attorney to withdraw.
Client has been informed that among the events that should be expected to cause
Attorney’s withdrawal from this case are Client’s breach of any portion of this
Agreement (including its payment provisions), Client’s refusal to cooperate with
Attorney or to follow Attorney’s advice on a material matter, or any other fact or
circumstance that would render Attorney’s continuing representation unlawful,
unethical, or impractical.
If Client shall desire to retain other counsel, then Attorney shall be paid the amount
then due and owing for work performed for Client.
After payment of all sums due and upon Client’s request, Attorney will deliver
Client’s file (other than Attorney’s personal notes, briefs, and work product that
Attorney elects to retain) to Client, along with any Client funds or property in
Attorney’s possession. If Attorney is not instructed otherwise, Client’s file will be
kept in Attorney’s office for a limited time after completion of the case. Files are
digitized, stored as PDF files and then destroyed upon completion of a case. If you
want your file, or anything out of your file, you should obtain it promptly upon
conclusion of your case.
It is understood that it is impossible to predict how long a case will take, how much it
will cost, or what the resulting outcome may be. Attorney does not make and has not
made any guarantees to Client about the length or expense of Client’s case. Attorney
has not and will not make any guarantee as to the outcome of Client’s case. Client has
been informed and acknowledges that it is quite likely that the costs, expenses, and
fees for legal services incurred in Client’s case will substantially exceed the initial
retainer fee deposit.
This agreement will take effect when Client has performed the conditions stated in
paragraph one, but its effective date will be retroactive to the date Attorney first
provided services, if earlier. Even if this Agreement does not take effect, Client will
be obligated to pay Attorney the reasonable value of any services Attorney may have
performed for Client.
The provision of this Agreement is severable. This means that if one or more
provisions of this Agreement are found to be void or unenforceable for any reason,
the remaining provisions of this Agreement will still apply.
This Agreement is entered into in accordance with the law of the State of Nevada, and
Nevada law will apply to any questions relating to the meaning of any provision of
this Agreement.
Date Date
This Agreement is a formal legal contract for Attorney’s services. It protects both you
and your attorney, is intended to prevent misunderstandings, and it may vary the law
otherwise applicable to attorney’s liens and resolution of fee disputes. DO NOT SIGN
THIS AGREEMENT UNTIL YOU HAVE READ IT THOROUGHLY AND ARE
SURE YOU UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS. If you do not understand it or if it does
not contain all the agreements discussed, please call it to our attention and be sure this
written Agreement contains all terms you believe are in effect between us. You have
an absolute right to discuss this agreement with independent counsel (or any other
advisor) before entering into this agreement, and we encourage you to do so.