An Attorney Representation Agreement is a legally binding contract between a client and an attorney. This template is designed for use by companies or individuals looking to hire an attorney as a private contractor to handle small or one-off matters.
Attorney independent contractors are typically specialists with extensive legal expertise in a specific area of law. They often handle various tasks relating to one type of matter. For instance, an independent contractor attorney may draft or review contracts and handle contract-related disagreements.
An attorney is a professional who has finished law school and passed the bar exam. They are licensed to practice law and represent clients in court proceedings in their licensed state.
An attorney can provide the following services:
According to Salary.com, attorneys in the US make between $89,000 and $450,000 on average. Hourly rates can range from $50 per hour to over $1000. Average hourly rates for a lawyer are around $300.
The cost of an attorney varies widely depending on the following factors:
An attorney acting as an independent contractor carries the full load of legal liability. Protect yourself from potential legal pitfalls by including the following details in your independent contractor attorney agreement:
Indicate the matter for which you will provide legal assistance. Use as much detail as possible when describing the legal matter and your specific role as a consultant, legal advisor, or legal representative.
Indicate limitations and services not included in the agreement. For instance, if your agreement is for a contract review only, you may indicate that your contract does not include legal representation in court proceedings.
Outline the confidentiality terms of your agreement, including attorney-client privilege and any exclusions. Consider including a confidentiality agreement as an addendum to the contract for highly sensitive matters.
If your agreement involves access to intellectual property, including patented, copyrighted, or trademarked ideas or designs, indicate who will retain rights to that property.
State the financial consideration you will receive for your legal services, whether it is a flat rate, retainer agreement, or hourly fee. Use an attorney invoice template to submit invoices once work is complete.
Clarify how payment should be sent and how long the client has to make payments. Include links to online portals and payment apps or an address to which the client can send a check to. Define penalties for late payments, including late fees, interest, and collection practices.
Indicate the terms under which each party can terminate the agreement. Note how any existing matters will be handled and whether notice should be given verbally or in writing.
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