ImLaw Contract for Immigration Legal Services (Reentry Permit)

This Contract is between ("Client")  and ImLaw, PC ("ImLaw"). The parties agree as follows:

1. Representation.  ImLaw will represent Client in providing immigration legal services, more specifically, preparation and filing of a Reentry Permit case with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

2. Attorney Fee. Client will pay ImLaw the fees and costs involved in providing the immigration services in #1 above. The attorney fee for the services in this case is the flat rate of $3,500.

 

3. Retainer Fee. Client must pay ½ the attorney fee stated paragraph 2 above, $1,750,  before ImLaw begins any work on behalf of Client. The balance of fees and costs will be due prior to the filing of the application package with USCIS.

Client can make payments to ImLaw by credit card online at https://www.imlaw.biz/contact-us, by ACH/bank transfer (see below for ImLaw's bank account details), or by check (checks should be made out to "ImLaw, PC" and sent to the address indicated at the top of this contract or placed in the secure dropbox by ImLaw's front door).  Note, credit card payments carry a 4% processing fee, and ImLaw accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover only.

Name and address of ImLaw's bank: Lake Michigan Credit Union, 4027 Lake Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49546    
Name and address of receiving account: ImLaw, PC, 4117 Embassy Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 
ImLaw, PC’s Bank Account Number:  101018594374 
ImLaw, PC’s Bank Account Routing Number:  272480678 
SWIFT code / BIC (wire transfers): LMCNUS33 

If you have any questions, please contact Lito Esquivel, Accounting/Billing Specialist at ImLaw, lito@imlaw.biz, (616) 855-5553. If you have any questions or problems with making the ACH or wire payment and need to contact Lake Michigan Credit Union directly, please call (800) 242-9790, Ext. 9950.  

4. Requests for Evidence (RFE) and Other Matters that will be Billed on an Hourly Basis; Expedite Fee.  After receiving Client’s case, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), asking for additional evidence or information to be provided to USCIS by a specified deadline. In the event an RFE is issued by USCIS and received by Attorney in Client’s case, Attorney will charge the hourly rate of $400/hour to evaluate and prepare a response to the RFE including all communications with Client in preparation of same. USCIS may also issue a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) on Client's case stating reasons for the intent to deny and providing an opportunity to refute the reasons for intended denial by sending additional information or documentation to USCIS within a certain timeframe. If a NOID is issued by USCIS and received by Attorney in Client’s case, Attorney will charge the hourly rate of $400/hour to evaluate and prepare a response to the NOID including all communications with Client in preparation of same. If Client receives any correspondence from USCIS, including an RFE and/or a NOID, and Attorney has not communicated to Client her receipt of such correspondence to date, it is Client’s responsibility to notify Attorney immediately of his/her receipt of such correspondence from USCIS to ensure that deadlines will be met.

Additional items that will be billed hourly include communicating with USCIS on USCIS service errors (e.g., typographical errors on notices, notices not received, etc.) and case processing delays (cases outside of USCIS posted processing times online); performing case inquiries with USCIS through e-request and/or calls to the USCIS Contact Center or other method; requesting expedited processing with USCIS and preparing such requests; handling biometrics scheduling and rescheduling issues including calls with the Application Support Center (ASC), calls to USCIS Contact Center and e-requests; performing liaison requests on client cases and all communications on same (congressional, Ombudsman, AILA); requests for InfoPass appointments at the local USCIS office in Detroit, MI; attendance at a USCIS facility such as local USCIS office or ASC, if applicable; managing and coordinating translation and academic/experience credential evaluations that require ImLaw time outside the norm; assistance with U.S. consulate/Department of State visa application process or issues; additional ImLaw time attributable to significant client delay or nonresponsiveness outside the norm.  Please note, all aforedescribed hourly charges will be in addition to the stated attorney flat fee.

ImLaw will charge a minimum expedite fee of $1,000 for cases requested to be prepared and filed within 14 calendar days or less of a government deadline (relevant expiration date), a client proposed/desired start date, or for any other reason attributable to the client (employer and/or beneficiary), the government, or relevant expiration date. 

5. Costs. In addition to the attorney fee, Client is responsible for paying the following:

a. Client’s case will most likely require certain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) filing fees. Since DHS filing fees will increase over time (latest increase takes effect 4/1/24), see https://www.uscis.gov/forms for the latest DHS filing fees for each required form. You may ask an ImLaw team member for the current specific filing fees that apply to your case as well;

b. Reimbursement of all federal express/other courier charges as required; and

c. If applicable, reimbursement of all fees to third party agencies for certified English translations, academic credential evaluations, and other fees/costs  required for Client's case.

6. Right to Withdraw. Attorney may withdraw as counsel at any time if Client fails to pay the fee and costs as required by this agreement, fails to cooperate with Attorney or any other reason for which Attorney, in their sole discretion, shall decide to withdraw, subject to the requirements of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct and the Michigan Court Rules.

7. For Services Rendered. If Client decides to withdraw from this representation or if Attorney terminates representation for any reason, Attorney is entitled to retain those portions of payment made for services performed and rendered up until the point of termination. This amount will be calculated at the hourly rate of $400/hour.

8. Payment Not Contingent on Outcome. Attorney cannot guarantee positive outcomes of cases because approvals and denials are ultimately within the control and discretion of the USCIS. As a result, payment of Attorney's fee and costs is not contingent or dependent upon the outcome of your case.

9. Files and Records. In connection with this contract and agreement, we may communicate with Clients via email transmission through service providers to ImLaw and, depending on the circumstances and nature of the services we provide, utilize additional third party service providers, some of whom may be cloud-based, but we remain committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of your information. Since no completely secure system for electronic data transfer exists, we cannot guarantee that emails will only be read by the addressee. By signing below, you, the Clients, understand and acknowledge this fact. Please contact ImLaw to arrange communications through alternative means.

All of your original client materials will be returned to you, or you will have an opportunity to retrieve your original client materials, immediately upon the conclusion of the representation. If you do not pick up your original client materials within 12 months of receiving the notice that they are available, they may be destroyed without further notice to you. If any notification is sent to you, it will be to the last known address we have on file for you.

If you owe on your balance, ImLaw may refuse to turn over your file until fully paid and is entitled to do so provided certain legal and ethical requirements are met.

ImLaw has the right to maintain Client’s closed file electronically only, and to shred the hard copies of the documents in Client’s file at the time Client’s case is closed and any time after the file has been successfully scanned and electronically stored with appropriate backup system in place which covers Client’s electronically stored file.

10. Agreement Governed by the Laws of State of Michigan. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan.

11. Entire Contract. This contract constitutes the entire contract between the parties and supersedes all prior contracts, agreements or other arrangements of any type or nature, written or oral, as of the date of this contract. This contract may not be changed, modified, renewed, or extended unless in writing signed by Attorney and Client.