Limited Scope Representation Agreement

Engagement. This is a legal contract between you (Client) and the Firm of Robinson Law (Firm). This Firm cannot help you negotiate, prepare, or execute this contract. 

Scope. This is a limited scope representation agreement is limited in scope and objectives based on what the client has paid in full. The Client understands that the Firm accepts no responsibility or liability for any matters of concern or interest that occurred before this contract was signed. 

Nature of Case. The Client requests services for only the type of case paid for in advance and agreed by the Firm. 

Client Responsibilities and Control. The Client will handle all parts of the case except those that are assigned to the Firm. The Client will be in control and will be responsible for all decisions made during the case. 

Client agrees to:

· Cooperate with the Firm and Firm's staff by giving them any information that they reasonably request about the case as soon as possible.

· Tell the Firm anything that the Client knows about the case, including any concerns. The Client will update the Firm with new information and when new concerns develop.

· Provide the Firm with copies of all court documents and other written materials that the Client sends or receives about the case.

· Immediately provide the Firm with any new court documents, including pleadings or motions, received from the other party.

· Keep all documents related to the case together and organized in a file for the Firm to review as needed.

· Return all discovery requested 10 days prior to the due date. 

Firm Responsibilities. Services: 

· Consultation: The Firm will provide consultation for the limited purpose of determining which pleadings or forms to file, how to file and serve documents, and for selecting additional services. To the extent practicable, the Firm will also provide assistance in how to do prove-ups and complying with local rules. 

· Document Review: If paid in advance at the rates below, the Firm will provide feedback regarding documents that the Client intends to file or send to the other party. This includes suggested additions, corrections, and whether the amount of facts or allegations is sufficient. In the case of settlement offers, the Firm will offer opinions on the adequacy of the offer and possible counter-offers. The same rate applies to review the Client's documents and the other party's documents. 

· Document Drafting: The Firm will not prepare any documents or pleadings unless requested and paid in advance at the rates below. The prepared documents will be returned to the Client as Word and PDF files that are ready for filing or modification. 

· Basic Discovery: The Firm will not provide "Document Review" with regards to discovery. The Firm will provide no consultation, feedback, or advice regarding discovery unless requested and paid in advance at the rates below. Discovery is "full service" only. The Firm or Firm's staff will prepare responses based on the information and documents provided by the Client. Basic Discovery includes Rule 194 Requests for Disclosure, Requests for Production of Documents and Tangible Things, Requests for Admissions, and Interrogatories. It does not include any other discovery such as third-party subpoenas or depositions. § E-Filing Support: The Firm will provide assistance in e-filing the first pleading in the case. Assistance with additional filings will cost $50 per pleading. 

· Negotiation: The Firm will only negotiate with the opposing party concerning court settings where the Firm was contracted to appear or if the Client contracted the Firm to represent the Client during mediation. The Firm will negotiate if requested and paid in advance at the rates below. 

· Court Appearances: The Firm will appear in court on behalf of the client if

o an attorney is available,

o the Court allows limited scope representation appearances,

o the appearance fee is paid at least 20 days prior to the hearing unless otherwise approved by the Firm, and

o Client signs a Motion for Withdrawal to allow the attorney to withdraw as attorney of record following the hearing. 

· Coaching: Coaching is intended to assist the client in selecting the appropriate evidence, developing direct and cross examinations, and objecting and responding to objections. The coaching fees below represent not only the time with the Client, but the time the Firm needs to evaluate the case, review the Client's evidence and possible objections, and prepare and research objections and responses to the objections that the Client may face in a hearing. 

THE FIRM IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SERVICES SELECTED AND PAID IN ADVANCE. 

The Client is responsible for all other services.
 

Additional Services. The Client may request that the Firm provide additional services by sending an email requesting the service. If the Firm and Client agree that the Firm will perform other services, the Firm will provide the Client with a Reference Code to use when pre-paying for the service. The Firm will be responsible for the additional services on the date when the Client pays. If the Client decides to retain the Firm to handle the Client’s entire case, the Client and Firm will sign a new written Agreement that outlines the Firm's additional responsibilities in the Client’s case. The Client will pay the fees for the additional services. 

Right to Seek Advice of Other Counsel. The Client has the right to ask another attorney for advice and professional services at any time during or following this Agreement. 

No Guarantees. The Client states that the Firm has not made any promises or guarantees that their involvement in the case will cause a certain outcome or result. The Firm cannot guarantee the case will be successful. The Client states that

1. The Firm has not promised or guaranteed an outcome,

2. The Firm has not promised or guaranteed how long the case will take to resolve, and

3. The Firm may give an opinion about how the case may end, but these statements are opinion and not a promise or guarantee. 

No Settlement without Client’s Consent. The Firm will not settle the Client’s case without the Client’s consent. 

Attorney of Record. The Firm and Client intend that the Firm will only perform the services assigned to the Firm. If the service requires a Firm attorney to become the attorney of record or make a Court appearance, the Firm is only responsible for the assigned services. If the Court requires a Firm attorney to be responsible for other services or issues that the Firm and Client did not agree to, the Firm attorney may withdraw as the Client’s attorney. If the Firm attorney withdraws as the Client’s attorney, then the Client must file any related forms that the Firm reasonably requests. If the Firm accepts the additional services the Court orders, the Client shall pay the Firm additional fees for those services. The hourly rate is $350 per hour billed in 6-minute increments. The Client will provide an additional retainer to cover the anticipated fees. 

Payment. The Client will pay the Firm a payment of the total of the selected services, which is NOT refundable and considered earned upon receipt and start of the draft documents. Minor revisions will incur no additional charges. This must be paid to the Firm before any services are performed. The Firm will deposit this money into your Trust account if deposit is above $1000 or in the Firm's operating if below $1000 based on fees earned upon receipt for proposed time. No services will be performed if there are not sufficient funds in the Trust account, so the Client is encouraged to deposit enough to pay all services. The Firm will perform services based on the rate or flat fees listed below. The Client authorizes the Firm to deduct payment from any deposit over $1000 when services are performed. 

Costs. The Client will pay the Firm's out-of-pocket costs. These include long-distance fees, copying, service fees, and postage. The Client will pay costs directly to third parties. These include filing fees, investigation fees, deposition fees, etc. The Firm will not advance costs to third parties on the Client’s behalf. No Guarantees as to Fees and Costs. The Client states that the Firm has not promised how much the total costs and fees will be for the Client’s case. The Firm is unable to estimate the cost of legal fees. 

Treasury Circular 230 Disclosure: If this communication contains any statement of tax advice, this information cannot be used by any person for the purpose or as the basis for avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed. None of the material contained within the communication can be used for promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party. This legend is attached pursuant to U.S. Treasury Regulations governing tax practice to comply with requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. The Client will tell the Firm if a formal, legal opinion regarding tax issues is needed. The Client agrees to sign a separate engagement letter with the Firm requesting such an opinion. The Client understands that the cost of such an opinion will be substantial given the IRS requirements. 

Electronic Mail. The Firm uses electronic mail (email), which may not be secure communication. If you use a work computer to send emails, your employer may have access to those emails. Please indicate at the bottom of this Agreement if we have your permission to communicate through email. 

Termination of Representation. The Client understands that the Firm may withdraw from representation of the Client in this matter at any time if:

1. The Client no longer wishes to work with the Firm;

2. The Client insists on pursuing a claim or defense that is not warranted under existing law and cannot be supported by a good faith argument for extension or reversal of such law;

3. The Client persists in a course of action involving the Firm's services that a Firm attorney believes may be criminal or fraudulent;

4. The Client has used the Firm's services to commit a crime or fraud;

5. The Client personally seeks to pursue an illegal course of action;

6. The Client insists that the Firm or Firm attorney pursue a course of conduct that is illegal or prohibited under disciplinary rules or the Lawyer's Creed, see below;

7. The Client engages in other conduct that renders it unreasonably difficult for the Firm to perform their job;

8. The Client insists upon the Firm engaging in conduct that is contrary to the judgment or advice of the Firm;

9. The Client fails to provide the Firm with the documentation and other evidence required because of the informal or formal discovery process at least 10 days before it is due without good cause;

10. The Client disregards the agreement with the Firm regarding the payment of fees, costs, or expenses;

11. The Firm wants to withdraw from representation due to the inability to communicate effectively with the Client; or

12. A Court requires the Firm to perform additional services outside the scope of this Agreement, and the Firm does not agree or the Client does not pay for those additional services. 

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 

• State of North Carolina – Legal Aid: 1-704-971-2621

• North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission: 1-919-890-1935

• 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 Firm and away from the Firm’s office prior to signing it and you have a right to have this engagement agreement reviewed by another Firm prior to signing it. Likewise, you understand that this Firm is not retained until the signed original engagement agreement is returned to the 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 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.