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RETAINER AGREEMENT
1. CONDITIONS
This AGREEMENT TO EMPLOY ATTORNEY is entered between Mr_Barro (Client) and DarnellJones,Esq. (Attorney).
2. SCOPE AND DUTIES.
Client hires Attorney for the purpose of legal services and advice in civil court.
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 keep Attorney informed of developments, abide by this Agreement, pay Attorney’s fees on time and keep Attorney advised of Client’s 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. CONTACTS AND COMMUNICATION.
Client acknowledges that the normal operation of Attorney and specifically that communications are normally maintained through office communcations and that the “team approach” utilized in Attorney’s office makes it likely that different tasks will be attended to by different people.e attended to by different people. Client understands that calls should normally be placed to, and normally will be returned by Attorney who is representing Client. Client understands that documents will frequently be drafted by one member of Attorney’s office staff, 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.
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.
4. LEGAL FEES.
Client agrees to pay (40%) percent fee of whatever settlement or civil reward be granted to Client by any Court. Such fee shall be paid within 2 days of Client’s receiving it, this time spectrum may be extended (at the discretion of Attorney).
Attorney may elect to adopt a case as Pro Bono.
Pro Bono, short for Pro Bono Publico, literally means “for the public good” in Latin. If a case is designated Pro Bono by Attorney, it means that Client’s fees for legal services will be waived, and all work within the bounds of the case shall be free of charge to Client. Attorney shall distinguish whether or not a case is Pro Bono to Client prior to the signing of this agreement, and before any work shall be done regarding the case.
5. DISCHARGE AND WITHDRAW
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.
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.
The foregoing is agreed to by:
DarnellJones, Esq.
Attorney-At-Law
(Date: 12/02/2017) |