Fee Agreement

We are pleased that you have engaged our firm. Our representation is limited to the matter as described below. It is our policy to confirm in writing the nature of the engagement and the terms of our representation. If you do not understand all of the terms or language in this engagement agreement, please contact  prior to signing this agreement.

This Agreement will not take effect, and the Firm will have no obligation to provide the services, until: 

(a) You return a signed copy of this Agreement; 

(b) You pay $__________ for service fees and another for $_________ for proposed expenses; and 

(c) The Representative in Charge acknowledges acceptance of representation by counter-signing this Agreement and returning a fully executed copy to You. Upon satisfaction of these conditions, this Agreement will be deemed to take effect at that time.

The Client

This Engagement Agreement is made between Robinson Law, hereinafter to as “the Firm,” or “We” or “Our” or “Us” and ___________________________________ hereinafter referred to as “You” or “Client(s).” Moreover, the Firm represents only you and represents no other individual or entity in this matter. Furthermore, there are no intended third-party beneficiaries to the relationship between our Firm and you.

You are the person/entity responsible for the payment of our fees and expenses in this matter.

Client’s Contact information and Responsibility 

Your current contact information is _____________________________________________.

You are responsible to be truthful, to cooperate, to supply all paperwork and information requested, to attend all appointments, and to keep us informed about any changes to the facts and information of the legal services and your contact information. 

You agree to read the Client Handbook and try to follow the rules and advice of the Firm. You agree to scan all documents including photos either with an external scanner or Adobe Scan on your phone or iPad before uploading documents. All documents should be uploaded to the Drive, emailed to the paralegal with your last name and type of case in the subject line in the correct format, or delivered to the office if original is required. All court journals and other items in your care must be delivered 2 weeks before any trials or hearings, if possible and if not, may result in the Firm withdrawing from the case and any trials. 

You agree to obtain access to the Client Portal with the username as your email address within 24 hours of the welcoming email for and that most if not all communication will be completed on the secured message program within Client Portal. Any emergencies outside of the normal business hours can be texted to the attorney. 

The Representative in Charge
Cristal Robinson will be the representative in charge of this matter, but the Client specifically authorizes and agrees that any attorney, investigator, paralegal, secretary, or other person in the Firm may, at the professional discretion of Cristal Robinson perform necessary services under the direction of the representative in charge. The contact information for the representative in charge and the Firm is found at www.CristalRobinson.com. 

Scope of Work in Covered Services

We have been engaged to represent you for the purpose of one or more of the following: 

We have been engaged to represent you for the purpose of one or more of the following: 

Representation shall consist of ____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Representation shall consist of ___________________________________________ and any supporting documents and shall include but not be limited to the following services: verbal and written communication with opposing party or counsel and Client regarding the issue in the form of telephone calls, in-person conferences, letters, emails, and initial filing with court or agency if needed hereinafter referred to as “Covered Services” Representation shall terminate upon either: (1) the signing or receipt of a Final Order, Agreement, Judgment, Certificate, license, or other form of completion based on the type of “Covered Services” or (2) when the Firm has provided Covered Services and, in the best legal judgment of the Firm’s responsible attorney, mediator, or consultant, further attempted negotiation will not likely result in an acceptable agreement and settlement WITHOUT initiating litigation such as Discovery and filing a lawsuit, unless otherwise included in the Covered Services. 

A separate agreement will be negotiated between the Client and Firm in the event the Client requests further representation in addition to Covered Services, such as further negotiation, litigation or an appeal. Client acknowledges that the Firm will not represent the Client in further negotiation beyond the Covered Services or in any litigation or appeal until such time as a separate agreement is executed.

You represent that you do not know of any related legal matters that would require our services under this agreement. If such matters arise later, you agree that this agreement does not apply to any related legal matter and understand that a separate engagement agreement will be required if you wish to hire our law firm to represent you in any such matters.

Limiting scope depending on type of case

General representations:

The scope of our representation may include advice or services regarding accounting, tax, personal financial matters or business management, and related non-legal matters and advice. If any of these items are necessary and outside of the scope of work in Covered Services, advice will be sought from experts in-house or outside of the Firm in those respective fields and you will need to enter into a separate fee agreement with those experts in order to retain and pay them. 

Conflict check

We searched our records and to the best of our knowledge we do not have a conflict, which means we have never represented any opposing party in this matter. If we realize that a conflict is likely to occur or has occurred, we will notify you and the opposing party to decide whether we may continue representing you. If the opposing party does not agree, we must withdraw from representing you. 

Service Fees and Payments

In consideration of the Covered Services to be furnished by the Firm, Client agrees to pay to a fee of $______________ to the Firm with the following term:

□ _____ Flat Fee: Client understands and specifically agrees that the flat fee is the entire payment for the specified legal work to be performed by the Firm regardless of the amount of time that it takes the Firm to perform the legal work; the flat fee is earned by the Firm immediately upon payment and will be deposited in the Firm’s business operating account rather than a client trust account; when the Firm’s representation ends, Client is not entitled to a refund of any portion of the flat fee unless (1) the legal work is not completed, in which event a proportionate refund may be owed, or (2) it can be demonstrated that the flat fee is clearly excessive under the circumstances, and the fee will be earned if the Firm provides the Covered Services, but is unable to finalize an agreement despite the Firm’s best efforts on Client’s behalf to do so.

□ _____ Minimum Fee: Client understands and specifically agrees that the minimum fee is for the reservation of the Firm’s services; to insure that the Firm will not represent anyone else relative to Client’s legal matter without Client’s consent; and for legal work to be performed for Client. Client understands and specifically agrees that the minimum fee will be earned by the Firm immediately upon payment and will be deposited in the Firm’s operating account rather than a client trust account; the Firm will provide legal services to Client on an hourly basis according to the schedule attached to this agreement until the value of those services is equivalent to the minimum fee; thereafter, Client will be billed for the legal work performed by the Firm and his/her staff on an hourly basis according to the schedule attached to this agreement; and when the Firm’s representation ends, Client will is not be entitled to a refund of any portion of the minimum fee, even if the representation ends before the Firm has provided legal services equivalent in value to the minimum fee, unless it can be demonstrated that the minimum fee is clearly excessive fee under the circumstances.

□ _____ General Retainer: Client understands and specifically agrees that the general retainer paid by Client is to ensure that the Firm is available to Client in the event that services are needed now or in the future and to insure that the Firm will not represent anyone else relative to Client’s matter without Client’s consent. Client understands and specifically agrees that the general retainer is not payment for the legal work to be performed by the Firm; the Client will be billed separately for the work performed by the Firm and his/her staff. Work will be billed on an hourly basis according to the schedule attached to this agreement; the general retainer will be earned by the Firm immediately upon paymentand will be deposited in the Firm’s operating account rather than a client trust account; and when the Firm’s representation ends, Client will not be entitled to a refund of any portion of the general retainer unless it can be demonstrated that the general retainer is clearly excessive under the circumstances. 

□ _____ Subscription Retainer: Client understands and specifically agrees that the subscription retainer paid by Client is to ensure that the Firm is available to Client in the event that services are needed now or in the future and to insure that the Firm will not represent anyone else relative to Client’s matter without Client’s consent. Client understands and specifically agrees that the subscription retainer is not payment for the legal work to be performed by the Firm; the Client will be billed separately for the work performed by the Firm and his/her staff. Additional work will be billed on an hourly basis according to the schedule in the Client Handbook; the subscription retainer will be earned by the Firm immediately upon payment and will be deposited in the Firm’s operating account rather than a client trust account; and when the Firm’s representation ends, Client will not be entitled to a refund of any portion of the subscription retainer unless it can be demonstrated that the subscription retainer is clearly excessive under the circumstances.

□ _____ Advance Payment: Client understands and specifically agrees that the advanced payment will be deposited in the client trust account maintained by the Firm. This money is a deposit securing payment for the work for Client that will be performed by the Firm and staff. Work will be billed on an hourly basis according to the schedule attached to this agreement. Client specifically authorizes the Firm to withdraw funds from Client’s deposit in the trust account when payment is earned by the performance of services for Client. When the deposit is exhausted, the Firm reserves the right to require further reasonable deposits to secure payment. The Firm will provide Client with an accounting upon request for legal services showing the fees earned and payment of the fees by withdrawal against Client’s deposit in the trust account. Client should notify the Firm immediately if Client retracts his/her consent to the withdrawal of money from Client’s deposit in the trust account to pay for legal services. When the Firm’s representation ends, the Firm will provide Client with a written accounting of the fees earned and costs incurred, and a refund of any unearned portion of the deposit that remains in the trust account less expenses associated with the representation. 

□ _____ Contingency: Client understands and specifically agrees that the firm will undertake this engagement on a contingency fee basis. Our fee will be based upon all amounts recovered on your behalf, including actual damages, punitive or exemplary damages, treble damages, interest, and attorney’s fees, but excluding any recovery of costs awarded to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses incurred in bringing your claims. Our fee will be __________ percent ( %) of all amounts recovered on your behalf by any settlement(s) made prior to filing legal action, and our fee will be _________ percent ( %) of all amounts recovered on your behalf after legal action is filed, whether by settlement, jury verdict, or otherwise, unless there is an appeal of an award in your favor. If any award by a trial court in your favor is appealed, our fee will be [percentage] percent ____% of all amounts ultimately recovered if there is a single appeal, and our fee will be [percentage] percent ____% of all amounts ultimately recovered on your behalf if there is more than one appeal. Unless the Termination of Services provisions apply as set out below, the contingency fee would only be due and paid in the event you recover damages or other amounts in this case. 

In addition to any contingency fee we earn in the event of a recovery, you are responsible for out-of-pocket expenses, including deposition charges, medical records charges, Federal Express and similar charges, large copying projects and messenger services. We would bill these charges separately to you. We may advance out-of-pocket expenses and defer billing for them until the conclusion of this matter, in which event you agree that we may deduct and retain those amounts from any recovery, or you will pay them at the time of any recovery, in addition to the contingency fee described above.

□ _____ Pro Bono: Client understands and specifically agrees that the firm will undertake this engagement on a pro bono (no charge for service fees) basis. Our fee will be waived based upon hours spent completing Scope of Work in Completed Services as stated above, but excluding any recovery of costs awarded to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses incurred in bringing your claims or actual damages, punitive or exemplary damages, treble damages, interest, and attorney’s fees awarded by the court. 

In addition to any court awarded recovery, you are responsible for out-of-pocket expenses, including deposition charges, medical records charges, Federal Express and similar charges, large copying projects and messenger services. We would bill these charges separately to you. We may advance out-of-pocket expenses and defer billing for them until the conclusion of this matter, in which event you agree that we may deduct and retain those amounts from any recovery, or you will pay them at the time of any recovery, if applicable.

Proposed Costs, such as Expenses, Experts, Consultants, Investigators, and other Non-Lawyer Professionals

In expectation of the Covered Services to be furnished by the Firm, Client agrees to pay the proposed costs of $______________ to the Firm. Client understands and specifically agrees that the proposed costs will be deposited in the client trust account maintained by the Firm. This money is a deposit securing payment for the proposed costs for Client that will be expensed by the Firm. Costs will be charged to Client as billed according to the schedule attached to this agreement or at the exact costs paid by the Firm. Client specifically authorizes the Firm to withdraw funds from Client’s deposit in the trust account when costs is paid by the Firm. When the deposit is exhausted, the Firm reserves the right to require further reasonable deposits to secure payment. The Firm will provide Client with an accounting upon request for expenses and other costs and payment of the fees by withdrawal against Client’s deposit in the trust account. When the Firm’s representation ends, the Firm will provide Client with a written accounting of the costs incurred, and a refund of any unearned portion of the deposit that remains in the trust account less expenses associated with the representation.  

Expenses

In addition to service fees, you are responsible for payment or reimbursement of expenses incurred in this service. These include, but are not limited to, costs paid to the court and expenses paid to third party vendors, delivery charges for Federal Express, UPS, and other delivery services, postage in excess of first class postage for an ordinary business letter, filing fees, sheriff's, constable and private process server fees, courier fees, court reporter fees, and copies made by an outside copy service. You agree that we may send you at our discretion, for direct payment by you, invoices from third parties, and you agree to pay the actual cost of the fees or services on any such invoice promptly upon receipt. If the Firm advances costs or expenses on your behalf, those costs or expenses will appear on your invoice and will be deducted from your trust balance or you will be sent an invoice for those costs and you agree to pay them within 3 days of receiving such invoice. If the anticipated cost of any third-party vendor exceeds the proposed costs balance at the time the cost will be incurred you agree to pay the expected cost in advance. If travel is required by airplane or train, the ticket must be refundable even if a higher cost is incurred. 

Experts, Consultants, Investigators, and other Non-Lawyer Professionals

It may become necessary over the course of this representation for our law firm to hire expert witnesses, consultants, investigators, and other non-lawyer professionals. We will not hire such persons without your consent to hire them and your agreement to pay their fees and expenses. Your refusal to hire such persons could adversely affect the outcome of your matter. Additionally, if we deem the hiring of such persons as necessary to our representation of you, and you refuse to authorize such hiring, we may in our discretion withdraw from your representation, subject to the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Authorized Use of Credit Card and Checks

Upon the exhaustion of the deposit for all service fees and proposed costs, the Firm will require payment of future service fees and proposed costs in the following manner: 

□ _____ Evergreen Retainer Program: Client authorizes Attorney to replenish the prepaid fee retainer by charging an additional amount to the credit card, debit card, or bank account number provided by client and will maintain the retainer at $__________.

□ _____ Automatic Payment Program: Client authorizes Attorney to pay the outstanding fees and costs each month by charging such amounts to the credit card, debit card, eCheck, or bank account number for EFT provided by Client for that purpose.
 

□ _____ Existing Client Program: Client agrees to pay the outstanding balance before 10 days after the end of month being billed. Client may pay via credit card, debit card, eCheck without additional fees being added through LawPay using these links: 

_____ “No Refund” Policy: Client understands that fees paid with an authorized credit card payment are not subject to a right by Client to a credit card refund or chargeback after legal services are performed. Refunds, when appropriate, shall be paid by check or other electronic transfer from Attorney to Client.

□ _____ Should you choose to pay your account using a credit card, your signature on this page is your “signature on file” for the purpose of credit card charges. you understand that the Firm does not keep credit card information on file and will not charge your credit card for any amount that you do not specifically authorize. your verbal authorization is valid to allow me to charge fees and expenses to your credit card. you will have to provide your credit card information (name, billing address, number, cvv number, expiration date) each and every time you ask me to charge your card. your use of a credit card for payment is your express acknowledgement and acceptance of this policy and its terms and conditions.

□ _____ Should you choose to pay by check, and if your check is returned for non-sufficient funds, you expressly authorize your account to be electronically debited or bank drafted for the amount of the check plus any applicable fees. the use of a check for payment is your acknowledgement and acceptance of this policy and its terms and conditions.

Sending Funds via Electronic Transfer

Before sending any wire, call our office at 704-370-9797 to verify the instructions. We will not change wiring instructions. If you receive wiring instructions for a different bank, branch location, account name or account number, they should be presumed fraudulent. Do not send any funds and contact our office immediately. Failure to follow this procedure endangers your funds.

Late Payment

You agree to pay all bills upon receipt and if you are late by more than one payment and billing schedule you will pay a late fee of $25.00 or 1.5% on the unpaid balance, whichever is greater. 

Attorney’s Lien
We may obtain a lien for all earned legal fees, costs, and filing fees that you have not paid for in full or made other accepted payment arrangements. If a dispute arises, mediation could be used before or during litigation. 

Settlement or other Funds and Final Payment
You agree that we may deduct and retain any earned service fees, expenses, or other costs from any recovery, settlement funds, or other funds received in this office on your behalf before paying you. Any payments to you with funds received in this office may take up to 60 days to process based on the final accounting of expenses, your approval of final bill, and banking regulations. All funds received on your behalf from settlement or other funds not paid by a third-party, except as noted, will be deposited in the client trust account maintained by the Firm.

Electronic Data Communication and Storage

We may communicate with you or others by email, facsimile transmission, send data over the Internet, store electronic data via computer software applications hosted remotely on the Internet, or allow access to data through third-party vendors’ secured portals or clouds. Electronic data that is confidential to your case may be transmitted or stored using these methods. In using these data communication and storage methods, our firm makes reasonable efforts to keep such communications and data access secure in accordance with our obligations under applicable laws and professional standards. You recognize and accept that we have no control over the unauthorized interception or breach of any communications or data once it has been sent or has been subject to unauthorized access, notwithstanding all reasonable security measures employed by us or our third-party vendors. You consent to our use of these electronic devices and applications and submission of confidential client information to third-party service providers during this engagement.

We recommend you refrain from communicating with us on any device provided by your employer or any computer, smart phone, tablet computer or other device shared with someone else. In addition, when communicating with us, please do not use your work email address or a shared email account. You should use only a private email account that is password protected and accessed solely by you.

Storage and Use of Electronic Data

Client is aware of and consents to the retention, maintenance, and storage of client’s information and records relating to this matter in the following forms and locations: Paper (in office and/or storage files); electronic (e.g., computer, handheld devices for email, fax, and via the Internet using cloud storage); or other like mediums. Attorney will endeavor to take all steps necessary to preserve and maintain the confidentiality of all Client information and records, however, Client recognizes and agrees that such information and records are subject to unauthorized access outside the control of Attorney, and agrees to hold Attorney harmless from any non-Attorney caused breaches of confidentiality of Client information and records.

Digital File Maintenance

During our representation of you, we will be sending you copies of all-important contracts, pleadings, letters, notices, and other material that we believe you should review. Our office strives to maintain these documents in digital (paperless) format, so more often these copies shall be in digital format, for ease of retention and portability. You should have a secure place to keep these documents. If you need additional paper copies at any time, we can make those at your expense for our normal copy fees or cooperate in sending the data to the secure copy service of Client’s choice. Clients may control such costs by keeping digital copies. Should you believe your particular file requires encryption, you should advise us of the form of such encryption. If our office must secure encryption software specifically for your case, the cost of that software shall be included in your bill.

Termination Clause 

In the event you fail to pay an outstanding invoice/costs/additional retainer/payment within the time requested, you agree that we may withdraw as your attorneys of record. We additionally reserve the right to withdraw as your attorney for any of the following reasons:

1. Your misrepresentation or failure to disclose material facts to us;

2. A breakdown in communication between us that makes it unreasonably difficult for us to reach agreement on the goals or strategy of your suit;

3. Failure to follow our advice or cooperate and comply fully with all reasonable requests of ours in reference to your case;

4. Your engagement in conduct which renders it unreasonably difficult for us to carry out the purposes of our employment; or

5. Any other reason allowed by the applicable rules and laws of the State, State Bar of Texas, State Bar of North Carolina, or DC Bar.

Likewise, you may discharge us at any time for any reason. You agree that, if you should at any time become displeased or dissatisfied with any aspect whatsoever of this firm's legal representation, or if you should at any time have any serious question concerning that representation, you will immediately notify us of that fact in writing.
 

If you terminate our services before work for you is complete and if the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State require a refund of any legal fees, we will calculate your fees on an hourly basis for time expended on your behalf at the rate of $400.00 per hour for non-litigation and $500.00 per hour for litigation for attorneys and $175.00 to $300.00 per hour for staff. Phone calls are a minimum of $100 each.

We are confident that we can work together in a manner satisfactory to you, but you are free to terminate our services at any time. However, if you terminate this engagement before a final settlement or conclusion of this matter, you agree that our fee has been earned, and you agree to pay the Firm, at our option, an amount equal to (a) the hourly rate for the services of the attorneys and paralegals who work on this matter, based upon their standard hourly rates as adjusted from time to time during this engagement, plus all out-of-pocket expenses and all of the administrative expense charges as described in the Client Handbook, or (b) that percentage of any settlement or other recovery for your claims that would have applied had the recovery been made at the time we last represented you (for example, if you terminate our firm before legal action is filed, and you ultimately make a recovery, we would be entitled to ____%; if you terminate our firm after legal action is filed but before a settlement or trial verdict, and you ultimately make a recovery, we would be entitled to ____%), plus all out-of-pocket expenses we incurred.

Although we do not contemplate at this time any reason why we would seek to withdraw from representing you, should we determine in our discretion that we should withdraw and we are ethically permitted to do so, we retain the right to do so subject to such court approval, if any, that may be required, and in that event you would only be required to pay or reimburse any out of pocket expenses we incurred on your behalf that you had not previously paid, and you would not owe any fee to us unless our withdrawal was caused by your refusal to cooperate or communicate with us in the pursuit of your claims. If our withdrawal was caused by your refusal to cooperate or communicate with us in the pursuit of your claims, you agree that this shall be treated as if you had terminated our services, and our fee would be deemed earned in accordance with the preceding paragraph. Again, we certainly hope and expect that there will be no reason for either of us to want to terminate the engagement, and we look forward to representing you to the conclusion of this matter.

Conclusion of the case and disposal of the client’s file. 

When this matter has concluded, whether by completing the services covered by this Agreement, or by discharge or withdrawal, all unpaid charges for fees or costs will be due and payable at once.

The Firm’s files are kept only in electronic form and during our representation that electronic file is provided to you. Documents kept in paper form will be returned to you in paper form. We will keep a copy of the electronic file and a copy of any paper documents. In order to return electronic and paper documents we must have a physical address (street or P.O. Box) to which we can send them, so we ask that you provide in such an address in writing. If you do not provide us with a different address, we will send them to the address on your fee agreement. If we have no physical address to which the files can be sent, we will keep them pursuant to our document retention policy. Under our document retention policy electronic files and any paper copies will be destroyed five years after our representation ends.

Disposition of Client Files
At the conclusion of this matter, Client is recommended that all matters in the Client's file shall be returned to Client upon request. Client is further recommended to retain all confidential information or original documents from Attorney's file. Client otherwise authorizes Attorney to destroy in a secure manner the information contained in Attorney's file after forty-five days from the date the legal service is completed but not more than 7 years based on the legal matter. If you want a copy of your file at any time, we shall deliver it to you in the same format in which the file is kept in our office. If you desire paper copies of files or data which we have solely maintained in digital format, we will either provide you the digital copies as well as making you the paper copies at an additional expense, or cooperate in delivering your digital file to a copy printing service of your choice so that your selected copies may be made at your expense.

Client confidentiality

Conversations between an attorney or mediators and client are protected by law and by the disciplinary rules to which attorneys or mediators are subject. The reason for this confidentiality protection is that the experience of many hundreds of years has proved that the interests of the client are best served when the client's attorneys or mediators are fully informed of all the facts well in advance of any possible contest. Your candor will assist us tremendously in representing you; it is doubly protected by law and the disciplinary rules and is very much encouraged. You can rely on us to be candid with you, as well. No attorney can be compelled to reveal any confidential communications, except in regarding child or elder abuse per state law.

Protecting Client Confidentiality/Communications/Social Media

Communications between you and our firm are confidential. Such communications may also be subject to the attorney-client privilege, which means that no one but you, our firm, and any third parties that we employ to assist with your representation would be entitled to know the con- tents of such communications. If our communications are shared with any outside third party, the attorney-client privilege may be lost, and the communications may be required to be disclosed to an opposing party or others. To protect the confidential nature of our communications with you, we ask that you refrain from sharing or relating our communications to a third party. If you are unsure or confused as to whether you should make a disclosure to a third party, we ask that you consult with us so that we can determine whether any information should be disclosed and, if so, whether such information should be provided by you or us.

We recommend you refrain from communicating with us on any device provided by your employer or any computer, smart phone, tablet computer, or other device shared with someone else. In addition, when communicating with us, please do not use your work email address or a shared email account. You should utilize only a private email account that is password protected and accessed solely by you when you communicate with us.
 

We further advise that any communication or posting that you make on a social media site, such as Facebook or Twitter for example, may be subject to discovery, even in a private or restricted access security setting. Similarly, any email, text, or other type of communication that you send to an out- side third party may be subject to discovery as well. In order to protect the confidential nature of our communications with you, please be thoughtful about what you decide to post or write and refrain rom making any communications to others about the communications between our law firm and you.

No guarantees—statements of opinion only.

OUR FIRM MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, PROMISES OR GUARANTEES AS TO THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THIS CASE OTHER THAN TO PROVIDE YOU WITH REASONABLE AND NECESSARY LEGAL SERVICES. OUR FIRM ALSO MAKES NO REPRESENTATION CONCERNING OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT TO YOU OF ANY OF THE FEES, COSTS, AND/OR EXPENSES INCURRED BY YOU IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MATTER. ANY AND ALL STATEMENTS EXPRESSED ON THESE MATTERS ARE STATEMENTS OF OPINION ONLY.

It is expressly acknowledged by you that this law firm has not made any warranties or representations to you, nor have we given you any assurances as to the favorable or successful resolution of your claim or defense of the action referred to above; nor as to the favorable outcome of any legal action that may be filed; nor as to the nature or amount of any awards or distributions of property, attorney fees, costs, or any other aspects of this matter. All of this law firm’s expressions relative to your case are limited only to estimates based upon our experience and judgment and are only our opinion. Such expressions should not be considered as representations, promises, or guarantees of results, which might be obtainable, either by way of a negotiated settlement or in a contested trial.

Privacy Policy Notice

During representing our clients, we receive all manner of significant personal information from them. As a client of the firm, you are advised that all information we receive from you will be held in confidence and not released to outside persons, except as agreed to by you or as required under applicable law. We keep records relating to professional services that we provide to assist you with your professional needs and, in some cases, to comply with professional guidelines. To guard your nonpublic personal information, we keep physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that follow our professional standards. Attorneys have been, and continue to be, bound by professional standards of confidentiality and we have always protected our clients' right to privacy and will continue to do so.

Attorney Privacy Policy 

1. This firm keeps a privacy policy as to social security numbers and other private information as defined by law. 

2. Social security numbers and driver’s license numbers are only used as needed and as required by law. 

3. These private numbers are used to identify parties, whether for initial service of court documents, for certain court orders, in required reports filed with the state of Texas, or for other required purposes. 

4. All private numbers, including but not limited to accounts, health data, and other identifying data protected by law received from a client, are, and remain, confidential, and are not released from the firm unless authorized by the client or required by law. 

5. The employees of the firm have access to this personal information but shall not release it without attorney authorization. 

6. Every step is taken to protect your privacy. Your information is kept secure within the firm in file folders, file drawers, and computers, until such time that the file information is retired, and the file removed to storage in computer files or a locked storage facility. Client information will eventually be shredded or securely deleted per the firm’s file disposition policies.

Required statement regarding lawyer and mediator complaints 

The State Bars and other agencies investigate and prosecute professional misconduct committed by attorneys and mediators. Although not every complaint against or dispute involves professional misconduct, the agency will provide you with information: 

• State Bar of Texas: 1-800-932-1900  
• State Bar of North Carolina: 1-919-828-4620 
• District of Columbia: 1-202-638-1501
• USPTO: 571-272-4097

Texas Lawyer’s Creed

The Texas Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals have adopted the Texas Lawyer's Creed as a mandate to the legal profession in Texas. The creed requires us to advise you of the contents of the creed when undertaking to represent you. A copy of the Texas Lawyer's Creed is attached to this agreement and found at the link below for your review.

https://www.legalethicstexas.com/getattachment/Ethics-Resources/Rules/Texas-Lawyer-s-Creed/Texas_Lawyers_Creed.pdf?lang=en-US

Acknowledgment and Signature of Client

Client Review of this Agreement: You have the right to review this engagement agreement outside the presence of this law firm and away from the law firm’s office prior to signing it and you have a right to have this engagement agreement reviewed by another law firm prior to signing it. Likewise, you understand that this law firm is not retained until the signed original engagement agreement is returned to the law firm, including any corresponding deposit or retainer in good funds. 

This Agreement contains all of the terms of our financial and other agreements with you regarding this matter and can only be modified by a separate written instrument signed by both parties. This Agreement is made in the state of the legal matter either State of Texas or North Carolina and shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas or North Carolina and by any applicable federal laws. All sums due this firm under this Agreement are payable in the State of Texas or North Carolina. If any part of this Agreement is found to be invalid, the rest of the Agreement remains effective.

If you have any questions or concerns about the terms of this engagement agreement, please contact us immediately. On behalf of the law firm, we appreciate the opportunity to represent you in this matter. By signing this agreement, I confirm that I have read this engagement agreement, understand its provisions, and agree to abide by it.

CLIENT ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED TO: