Article - How to Write Letters Nonlawyers Will Read, by Florida Lawyer

This Florida lawyer has written legal forms, books & articles for West, ALI-ABA & Fla. Bar Journal and is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell. James W. Martin consults from his Saint Petersburg, Tampa Bay, Florida, law office on contract, business, corporate, probate, wills, trusts, real estate and lawsuit matters.

SAMPLE ENGAGEMENT LETTER

Note: This article is for background purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

[Letterhead]

[Date_________]

CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION
[New client's name_________]
[Address_________]

Re: Legal Representation

Dear _________:

This will confirm that you have retained me to represent your interest in connection with _________.

The scope of representation is as follows: _________.

You are going to furnish me copies of the following documents before I start working: _________.

I will begin work as soon as I receive a fee retainer of $_________ from you. The retainer will be deposited to my trust account and will be applied toward fees and costs as earned and incurred. As that retainer is used up, additional retainers will be billed to continue the work.

Fees are based on the amount of time spent at hourly rates of $_________ for me and $_________ for my paralegal. You will also pay for such costs as copies, postage, fax, long distance, recording, FedEx, courier, etc. Enclosed is my resume, which I gave you at the initial conference and which explains how I bill for my services. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.

The range of fees for this work will vary with the amount of time it takes. I estimate that fees will be a minimum of $_________. [optional: It is not possible at this time to estimate how much more they may be, but I should know more once the suit is filed and the defendant is served and responds.]

Please note that the scope of my representation does not include advice or services regarding the following: accounting, tax, financial, business, management, and related non-legal matters and advice (I advise that you engage a CPA, tax attorney or business consultant to advise you regarding these matters); title searches, surveys, inspections and other non-legal work relating to real estate (I advise that you engage a title insurance company, abstractor, surveyor or other licensed professional to provide you these services); securities, labor, and other legal matters not handled by this firm (I advise that you engage a lawyer who specializes in these matters if you need such advice). I would be happy to refer you to others who may provide you these services.

I appreciate your trust and confidence in asking me to assist you. I will endeavor to do my best for you at all times.

Very truly yours,

[Lawyer_________]

Enclosures