RETAINER
Highlights of Our Attorney-Client Relationship
Any confidential information will be discussed when I personally meet with you. Kindly do not send any confidential information before our first meeting.
If you retain my services, I will be the lawyer who will handle your case. The information you provide to me or I obtain as part of the file on your behalf will be, with limited exceptions, strictly confidential. Please note that I have the right to involve members of my staff in your file.
My role as a lawyer is to advise you in your matter. Since you are the person who has personal knowledge of the facts in your case, you and I must work together to maximize your chances of getting the most favorable result for you and so as expeditiously as possible. In this context, you can expect to receive the following services from me:
- I will keep you informed of the progress and any development in your file;
- I will contact you regularly to discuss the status of your file, update, and keep you abreast of legal fees that I consider necessary to carry out any subsequent step in the case;
- I will return your phone calls without undue delay or, if I am unable to do so, my staff will and they will draw to my attention any immediate or urgent situation;
- I will send copies of any correspondence between the solicitors of record and any legal document drafted or prepared on your behalf.
You have the right and responsibility to make all decisions related to your file. Contrariwise, if important advice given by me is ignored, I can withdraw from the case.
In order to execute this mandate to the best of your interests, I will need your cooperation to obtain information, documents, explanations and instructions. Unless otherwise directed by you, the information or documents may be sent by email, fax or other electronic means of communication even if the information or documents are confidential or subject to professional privilege of the lawyer.
To the necessary extent, you agree that I may collect, use or disclose personal information in the performance of my Retainer. I expect the following from you:
- You provide me with all information relevant and necessary to a good and expeditious conduct of your file, allowing me to understand the issues;
- You provide me without undue delay any necessary documents I might need or could ask you for to ensure a good conduct of your case;
- You return my calls without undue delay and will notify me immediately of any change of address or telephone number;
- You pay my bills on receipt or, if you have questions about one of my bills or some of my bills, you will bring these issues to my attention immediately so that we can discuss frankly and directly.
I am committed to helping my clients have access to justice. My commitment to offer reasonable rates is to be matched to your understanding that “a day in court” doesn’t give you certainty and control over your matter. Alternative dispute resolution methods give you more certainty and control about costs, about time, and about the outcome.
At your initial consultation, I will discuss with you the legal services you will require and explain the details and steps involved in carrying out those services. After meeting with you and understanding the details of your case, I will determine how much work will be involved and I will be able to provide you with an estimate once I have knowledge about your case.
At the time of our initial consultation, we will also discuss an appropriate retainer. A retainer is a deposit towards fees that will be billed to you for work that I will have done on your matter.