Client Engagement Form
Please read thoroughly, it is your responsibility to know what is in this document. You must sign to indicate that you understand the terms below. Please contact us with any questions.
Please read The Justice Center’s policies to understand the extent of services offered by The Justice Center and the Volunteer Attorney. The Volunteer Attorney has agreed to review the issues outlined in your application with The Justice Center and is under no obligation to review or provide services related to other issues.
Please respect the Volunteer Attorney. Please respect their time, their advice and their services. All Volunteer Attorneys are highly qualified and provide an exceptional level of service to all of their clients, regardless of providing a reduced-cost service.
Please contact the Volunteer Attorney within one week to speak with them about your issue. If you do not contact the Volunteer Attorney within one week or fail to keep your appointment you will no longer be eligible for services offered through The Justice Center.
Our Volunteer Attorneys agree to:
1. Equal Treatment. Volunteer Attorneys provide the same level of quality and commitment to all clients. Modest Means cases are given the same priority, dedication, and resources as other matters.
2. Fees. Volunteer Attorneys agree to undertake this representation on reduced cost basis, which means that the attorney will charge reduced rate fees ($125/hour) for their help with this matter. The Volunteer Attorney may request that you pay for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during your case, such as the cost of hiring experts for your case. You should ask the Volunteer Attorney about the costs that may be anticipated in your case.
3. Communication. Volunteer Attorneys will keep you informed about the status of the case and consult with you before making any significant decisions about the case. Volunteer Attorneys will disclose in a timely fashion any new developments relating to your legal matter and how those developments might be handled. Please understand that there are points during the case where communication may be limited, but the Volunteer Attorney will inform you when new developments occur.
4. Confidentiality. Volunteer Attorneys keep all of your sensitive information confidential unless you authorize it to be disclosed or the Volunteer Attorney’s firm policy allows disclosure of information in order to properly represent you.
5. Efficiency. The Volunteer Attorney cannot guarantee the success of any given matter, but will strive to represent your interests professionally and efficiently.
As the Client you agree to cooperate fully with the Volunteer Attorney by:
1. Disclosure. The Volunteer Attorney relies on you to provide truthful information and documents. Please tell the truth and disclose all known facts about the legal matter, even those facts that you think are damaging to your case. A lawyer cannot effectively represent you unless you relate all of the facts involved in your case.
2. Documentation. You will be required to provide complete information or documents that the Volunteer Attorney deems useful or necessary and you should assist the Volunteer Attorney in obtaining information and documents from any other sources. You should also be prepared to provide the Volunteer Attorney with a list of all names, addresses, and telephone numbers of persons involved in the case.
3. Communication. You must promptly notify the Volunteer Attorney of any changes in address, e-mail address, telephone number, or changes in your situation which may impact the case. Please maintain regular contact with the Volunteer Attorney and promptly respond to letters, emails and phone calls. Keep the Volunteer Attorney fully informed about new developments in your case. Do not let the attorney be surprised later by a disclosure you should have made earlier.
4. Timeliness. Please keep all appointments and be on time for all appointments.
5. Attentiveness. You should read the contract from the Volunteer Attorney and the supplemental documentation they provide. These materials often contain your obligations as a client and the general timeline of events that will occur with your case. Let the attorney know if you don’t understand the documentation.
6. Eligibility. If you subsequently become financially ineligible for reduced cost legal services because of a material change in your resources or a change in your objectives, you understand the Volunteer Attorney may negotiate a fee arrangement with you and require you to pay fees for your representation or the Volunteer Attorney may withdraw from representing you.
Termination of services may occur by the Volunteer Attorney or the Client:
1. Discharge of Volunteer Attorney. You may terminate the services of the Volunteer Attorney. In the event that you discharge the Volunteer Attorney, THE JUSTICE CENTER cannot and does not promise that you will be referred to another Volunteer Attorney.
2. Withdrawal of Representation by Volunteer Attorney. You understand that the Volunteer Attorney reserves the right to withdraw from representing you, the Client, after taking reasonable steps, including first giving you notice of intention to withdraw. The Volunteer Attorney may withdraw if in his or her judgment:
a. You do not cooperate with the Volunteer Attorney or, by your conduct, make it unreasonably difficult for the Volunteer Attorney to carry out the representation effectively or efficiently; or
b. You insist that the Volunteer Attorney engage in conduct that is contrary to the judgment and advice of the Volunteer Attorney or is contrary to law; or
c. Continued representation would result in a violation of the rules of ethics and professional responsibility; or
d. You are no longer financially eligible for reduced cost services because of a material change in your resources or alteration in your objectives.
Please remember that not all problems have a fast, easy, or smooth resolution. Even if you, as the client, are being reasonable, your adversary may not be cooperative in bringing your case to a conclusion. Some of these factors may be out of your attorney’s control. Respect the Volunteer Attorney’s advice and time, they advocate for their clients to the best of their ability and understand how to effectively work within the legal system.
Some problems between attorneys and clients are the result of misunderstandings or a lack of communication. If you believe you have a problem with the Volunteer Attorney, consider talking it over with the attorney. The Volunteer Attorney may be unaware of the problem and, after a discussion, you may be able to come to a mutually acceptable solution.
We are pleased to have this opportunity to assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions about this contract or our services.
Agreed and Accepted: