Section 32 Hourly Fee Agreement

• Library: Consumer Law and Practice 2010 – Forms

Law Firm

Anytown

USA

Hourly Fee Agreement

Law Firm, L.L.C. ("Firm") will provide legal services to _____________ ("Client") on the terms set forth below.

Conditions

This Agreement will not take effect, and Firm will have no obligation to provide legal services, until Client returns a signed copy of this Agreement and pays the initial retainer fee called for under the "Retainer Fee" paragraph below.

Scope of Services

Client hires Firm to provide legal services in the following matter: _______________________. Firm will provide legal services reasonably required to represent Client. Firm will take reasonable steps to keep Client informed of progress and to respond to Client's inquiries. If a court action is filed, Firm will represent Client through trial and posttrial motions. This Agreement does not cover representation on appeal or in execution proceedings after judgment. Separate arrangements must be agreed to for those services. Services in any matter not described above will require a separate agreement.

Client

Firm is representing Client only in this matter. It is understood by Client and any third party who may be assisting Client financially, emotionally, or otherwise in this matter that Firm's duty is to act in the best interest of Client, and Firm cannot share information about Client's case with anyone other than Client without express permission.

Responsibilities of the Parties

Client agrees to be truthful with Firm, to cooperate, to keep Firm informed of any information or developments that may come to Client's attention, to abide by this Agreement, and to pay Firm's bills on time. Further, while it is impossible to predict the course of a representation, it may be important for Firm to contact Client immediately, or upon short notice, and to confer with Client regarding the status of Client's case. An inability to do so may result in Client's case being prejudiced and may detrimentally affect the outcome of the case. Accordingly, Client agrees to keep Firm informed of Client's current address, telephone number, and whereabouts. If Client leaves town, for example, to travel on business or vacation, Client agrees to notify Firm before leaving of the expected duration of the trip and how Client may be contacted in the meantime.

Retainer Fee

Client agrees to pay Firm an initial retainer fee of $________________ by ________________. The hourly charges will be credited against the retainer fee. The retainer fee, as well as any future retainer fees...