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    Free Engagement Letter Template

    Fill in your firm, client, and fee details and get a finished attorney-client engagement letter, ready to sign. Hourly, flat fee, or contingency, downloaded as a Word document you can edit.

    Your firm
    Your client

    Completes the sentence “…represent you in connection with ___.”

    Fees
    $
    $
    days
    $

    Leave blank to drop the retainer section.

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    [Firm name]

    [Date]

    [Client name][Client address]

    Re: Engagement for Legal Services — [description of the matter]

    Dear [Client name],

    Thank you for choosing [Firm name] ("the Firm") to represent you in connection with [description of the matter] (the "Matter"). This letter (the "Agreement") confirms the terms on which the Firm will provide legal services to you ("Client"), and is intended to set out our mutual understanding regarding scope, fees, and the responsibilities of each party.

    1. Scope of Engagement

    The Firm agrees to represent Client in connection with [description of the matter]. This engagement is limited to the matter described above and does not extend to any other matter, dispute, or transaction unless separately agreed to in writing by both parties. Any request to expand the scope of this engagement will be documented in a written amendment to this Agreement.

    2. Fees and Billing

    Client agrees to compensate the Firm for services rendered at the rate of $[hourly rate] per hour for attorney time. Time will be billed in increments of one-tenth (0.1) of an hour. Invoices will be issued on a monthly basis and are due within 30 days of the invoice date.

    In addition to fees for professional services, Client agrees to reimburse the Firm for reasonable costs and expenses incurred on Client's behalf, including but not limited to filing fees, court costs, expert witness fees, travel expenses, and copying or delivery charges.

    3. Client Responsibilities

    Client agrees to cooperate fully with the Firm, to provide accurate and complete information relevant to the Matter, to respond promptly to requests for information or documents, and to keep the Firm informed of any changes in circumstances relevant to the representation.

    4. Termination

    Either party may terminate this engagement at any time upon written notice to the other, subject to any applicable rules of professional conduct and any obligations to the court. Upon termination, Client remains responsible for payment of all fees and costs incurred through the effective date of termination.

    5. Conflicts of Interest

    The Firm has performed a conflicts check based on the information currently available and is not aware of any conflict that would prevent this representation. Client agrees to promptly inform the Firm of any facts that may give rise to a conflict of interest during the course of the representation.

    6. Confidentiality

    The Firm will maintain the confidentiality of information provided by Client in accordance with applicable rules of professional conduct, except as required by law or court order, or as necessary to carry out the representation.

    7. No Guarantee of Outcome

    Client acknowledges that the Firm has made no promises or guarantees regarding the outcome of the Matter. Any opinions expressed by the Firm regarding the likely outcome represent professional judgment only and are not a guarantee of any particular result.

    8. Entire Agreement

    This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Firm and Client regarding the terms of this engagement, and supersedes any prior oral or written agreements relating to the Matter. This Agreement may be amended only in writing, signed by both parties.

    Please review the terms of this Agreement carefully. If they are acceptable to you, please sign and date below and return a copy to the Firm to confirm your agreement to these terms. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

    Sincerely,

    [Attorney name][Firm name]

    Client Acknowledgment and Acceptance

    By signing below, Client acknowledges having read and understood the terms of this Agreement, and agrees to be bound by them.

    [Client name]Date: _______________

    Engagement Letter — Engagement Letter — Page 1 of 1

    This template is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Rules on fees, retainers, and engagement letters vary by state and practice area; review the letter against your jurisdiction's rules of professional conduct before using it.

    What is an engagement letter?

    An engagement letter is the agreement between a lawyer and a new client that confirms the representation and sets its terms: what you'll do, what you won't, how you'll be paid, and how either side can end the relationship. Sending one at the start of every matter heads off the misunderstandings that turn into fee disputes and bar complaints.

    What to include in an engagement letter

    • Scope of engagement

      Exactly which matter you're handling, and that anything else needs a written amendment. Most fee disputes start with an unclear scope.

    • Fees and billing

      Your rate or fee, billing increments, how often you invoice, and when payment is due.

    • Costs and expenses

      Filing fees, expert fees, travel and the like, and who pays them, especially if a contingency case is lost.

    • Retainer

      How much, that it goes into your trust account, how you draw against it, and when the client must replenish it.

    • Client responsibilities

      Cooperation, accurate information, and prompt responses, so expectations run both ways.

    • Termination

      That either side can end the engagement, and what happens to fees and unearned funds when they do.

    • Conflicts and confidentiality

      That you've run a conflicts check, and how you'll protect what the client tells you.

    • No guarantee of outcome

      That your opinions are professional judgment, not promises.

    Hourly, flat fee, or contingency?

    Hourly

    Best when the work is hard to predict, such as litigation or ongoing advice. Spell out billing increments and any retainer held in trust.

    Flat fee

    Best for well-defined work like wills, simple contracts, or uncontested matters. Define the scope tightly so extra work is clearly billable.

    Contingency

    Common in personal injury and collections. Must be in writing and signed, and should say how costs are handled if the case is lost.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is an engagement letter required?
    ABA Model Rule 1.5(b) requires lawyers to communicate the scope of the representation and the basis of the fee, preferably in writing, and Rule 1.5(c) requires contingency fee agreements to be in writing and signed by the client. Several states go further: New York and California, for example, require written engagement letters or fee agreements for many matters. Even where it's optional, a signed letter is your best protection in a fee dispute or malpractice claim.
    What's the difference between an engagement letter and a fee agreement?
    In most practices they're the same document. An engagement letter confirms that you're representing the client and on what matter; a fee agreement sets out how you'll be paid. This template covers both, so one signature does the job.
    Is this engagement letter template really free?
    Yes. There's no sign-up and no watermark. Fill in the form, download the Word document, and edit it however you like.
    Is the information I type saved anywhere?
    No. The letter is built entirely in your browser, and nothing you type into the generator is sent to us or stored.
    Can I use this template in my state?
    It's written to work for most U.S. practices, but rules on fees, retainers, trust accounts and contingency agreements vary by state and practice area. Treat it as a starting point and review it against your jurisdiction's rules of professional conduct. It isn't legal advice.
    How do I get clients to sign it online?
    Formaliq turns your engagement letter into a short form your client fills in, then generates the finished letter and sends it for e-signature. Send us your own letter and we'll set it up for you, free.

    Want this with your own letter?Send it to us.

    Upload the engagement letter you already use. We'll turn it into a template your clients fill in and sign online, so you never retype a client name or fee again. Free.

    • Clients complete a short form instead of you editing Word
    • The finished letter goes out for e-signature automatically

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