1. TERMS OF RETAINING SERVICES AND SCOPE OF WORK
We appreciate your interest in our services and look forward to helping you. Based on the facts and the applicable law as it currently exists, I believe you may be eligible for the benefit that I will seek on your behalf although you understand that I have made no guarantees of success.
As discussed, by signing below or by paying our retainer fees, you are agreeing to have us represent you in matters listed in the accompanying invoice***.
***Please refer to the accompanying invoice for Scope of work and Attorney’s fees for my representing you.
***Please note that there are government filing fees which may be applicable. They are separate and not included as a part of our services.
2. FEES AND COSTS
The attorney fee is the invoiced amount.
This fee includes the services as described in the accompanying invoice.
This fee does not include any additional work which may be required. This additional work may include one or more of the following:
- Additional filings due to errors by government agencies such as misplacing a filing, or government agency delays such as lengthy processing time;
- Requests for assistance from members of the U.S. Congress or other government officials;
- Changes in case strategy necessitated by changes in the law or the facts as they have been related to me;
- Additional filings due to denial of application on merits (i.e., motions, appeals and/or lawsuits); or
- Attendance at government interview.
This fee also includes “ordinary costs,” by which are limited to U.S. telephone and facsimile charges, regular photocopying jobs, U.S. mail postage, and one U.S. FedEx or Express Mail (not including overnight mail) envelope delivery charge. You will be separately liable for other costs as they are incurred. These other costs may include international telephone, facsimile, mail, or delivery charges; personal messengers; unusually voluminous photocopying jobs; or outside service charges such as translation, document evaluation (including educational evaluation), civil surgeon fees, or photography fees. Unless otherwise specified, we do not estimate that these other costs will not exceed $200.
I reserve the right to engage other attorneys to assist me with your case at my sole expense and at no additional cost to you.
3. CLIENT COOPERATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Client agrees to fully cooperate with Attorney, to provide all necessary information, and to keep Attorney informed of any changes in address, phone number, or circumstances that might affect the case.
Client agrees to promptly review all documents sent by Attorney and to provide requested documentation in a timely manner. Failure to provide requested documents or information may result in delays or the inability to proceed with the representation.
Client must be truthful in all disclosures to Attorney and must immediately notify Attorney of any new developments, correspondence, or notices received from any government agency related to the matter.
4. TERMINATION OF REPRESENTATION
Client may terminate this representation at any time with or without cause by notifying Attorney in writing. Upon termination, Client remains liable for all fees and costs incurred prior to the termination date.
Attorney may terminate this representation subject to the rules of professional conduct if Client breaches this Agreement, fails to cooperate, fails to pay fees as agreed, or if Attorney determines that continuing to represent Client would be unethical or impractical. In the event of termination, Attorney will take reasonable steps to protect Client’s interests and will return Client’s original documents upon request.
5. DISCLAIMER OF GUARANTEE
Nothing in this Agreement and nothing in Attorney’s statements to Client will be construed as a promise or guarantee about the outcome of Client’s matter. Attorney makes no such promises or guarantees.
Attorney’s comments about the outcome of Client’s matter are expressions of opinion only, based on Attorney’s experience and the facts as currently understood.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY AND COMMUNICATIONS
All information provided by Client to Attorney will be kept strictly confidential in accordance with the attorney-client privilege and applicable rules of professional conduct.
Client authorizes Attorney to communicate via email and understands that while reasonable precautions will be taken, email is not a completely secure method of communication.
7. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties. No other agreement, statement, or promise made on or before the effective date of this Agreement will be binding on the parties. This Agreement may only be modified by a subsequent written agreement signed by both Client and Attorney.
