ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH EDMONDS LAW OFFICE
A. You (“Client”) agree to retain Edmonds Law Office of Civil Rights LLC D/B/A Edmonds Law Office to represent you with a limited scope representation: The specific legal services package selected below. Any related legal matters not specifically referenced below are not included within the scope of representation. Any legal services not specifically referenced in subsection B are NOT included in this attorney-client agreement. Client understands that additional legal services will require a new legal services contract. Client agrees to the following terms:
B. Scope of Representation: The Legal Services available are limited to the associated services within the scope of representation, to be completed within 60 calendar days (or as otherwise specified) of signing this Agreement:
a. Diagnosis Only:
- Review of compliance protocols, to include 2 contracts
- Medical Practice checklist
- 60-minute 1-1 session with attorney
- Risk Analysis Game Plan
b. Diagnosis + One Prescription:
- Review of compliance protocols, to include 2 contracts
- Medical Practice checklist
- 60-minute 1-1 session with attorney
- Risk Analysis Game Plan
-
Patient Services Agreement
Up to (1) contract explainer videos from assigned firm attorney explaining the drafted contract and the legal and practical reasons for the selected provisions to be delivered to the client electronically, prior to the scheduled attorney debriefing session.
Up to (1) contract debriefing session with a firm attorney for up to one (1) hour via phone or video conferencing.
Up to two (2) contract drafting revisions for each contract—to include (a) requested changes disclosed during contract discovery session and (b) contract revisions requested post-explainer video.
Final contracts will be delivered to client electronically via the client portal within 60 calendar days of client completing the necessary online intake forms for the selected contract(s).
Risk Analysis Plan delivered electronically to client within 30 calendar days of client completing the necessary intake forms for the selected contract(s).
General Counsel Support for 90 Days: The general counsel support will include 90 days (beginning once the engagement agreement is signed and the attorney's fees have cleared) of the following services:
- Unlimited Q & A via client portal messaging. The firm will respond to all inquiries within 72 business hours (unless otherwise specified in the Firm holidays policy)
- Up to three (3) 30-minute telephone sessions with assigned attorney
- 25% of any additional legal services during the 90-day general counsel period
- Please note: Contract review is not included in this plan, but the client is eligible to add on additional legal services with the 25% discount.
Any and all services not utilized within the plan period will be forfeited by the client.
c. Complete Wellness Checkup
- Review of compliance protocols, to include 2 contracts
- Medical Practice checklist
- 60-minute 1-1 session with Angie
- Risk Analysis Game Plan
- Patient Services Agreement
For the Patient Services Agreement, Employment Agreement, and Employment Manual, Client is eligible to receive the following services for each contract:
Up to (1) contract explainer videos from assigned firm attorney explaining the drafted contract and the legal and practical reasons for the selected provisions to be delivered to the client electronically, prior to the scheduled attorney debriefing session.
Up to (1) contract debriefing session with a firm attorney for up to one (1) hour via phone or video conferencing.
Up to two (2) contract drafting revisions for each contract—to include (a) requested changes disclosed during contract discovery session and (b) contract revisions requested post-explainer video.
Final contracts will be delivered to client electronically via the client portal within 60 calendar days of client completing the necessary online intake forms for the selected contract(s).
Risk Analysis Plan delivered electronically to client within 30 calendar days of client completing the necessary intake forms for the selected contract(s).
- General Counsel Support for 1 year: The general counsel support will include 12 months (beginning once the engagement agreement is signed and the attorney's fees have cleared) of the following services:
- Unlimited Q & A via client portal messaging. The firm will respond to all inquiries within 72 business hours (unless otherwise specified in the Firm holidays policy)
- Up to twelve (12) 30-minute telephone sessions with assigned attorney
- Up to two (2) contract reviews to include a detailed explainer video and advice and counsel
- 25% of any additional legal services during the 90-day general counsel period
- Please note: Additional contracts or legal services will be available to Complete Wellness clients with a 25% discount.
Any and all services not utilized within the plan period will be forfeited by the client.
1. Effective Date: This agreement will become binding once the client has signed it, and the associated attorney's fees have been paid.
2. Automatic Termination: This agreement will automatically terminate once the firm has provided the services, it agreed to perform in the attached proposal incorporated hereto. Once legal services have been completed, at the firm’s request, client will assist attorney in the closing of files.
3. Withdrawal of Representation: The firm may terminate this agreement if, based on its discretionary judgment, the client has failed to meet the client expectations set forth below in paragraph 6. The firm may also withdraw for good cause or any other legal reason to withdraw (including attorney ethical rules or conflict). If attorney withdraws from a flat rate-based representation, firm will bill client at the hourly rate of $600 p/h (standard partner), $300 p/h (standard staff attorney), or $800 p/h (expedited rate) for the work completed by the attorney and normal ($175 p/h) or expedited ($250 p/h) hourly staff rates prior to withdrawal. Expedited work is any work performed by members of the firm within 5 calendar days of signing this Agreement. Client understands that flat rate billing often yields a discounted rate to the client, and withdrawal or early termination of this agreement may result in a balance due to the firm. The balance due for completed legal services is due upon written invoicing from the firm. If the balance due, inclusive of any applicable late fees, is not paid within 10 calendar days of invoicing, the client agrees that the firm may use any available legal means to retrieve the balance owed, including placing a lien on personal property or future case judgments and/or settlements in the form of an attorney’s lien. In accordance with Georgia law, the firm shall have a lien on all papers, money, and work product of its clients to be held until outstanding firm balances have been paid in full.
4. Client’s Right to Terminate Agreement: At any time, for any reason, the client may terminate this agreement. Client remains obligated to pay for services already performed and to assist attorney in closing and transferring the file. If firm has agreed to represent the client for a flat fee, and the client terminates the agreement prior to the delivery of services, client remains obligated to pay for the work performed at customary hourly or expedited rates, in addition to all costs incurred during the course of representation.
5. Firm Promise:
A. Responsive. Edmonds Law Office promises to make staff accessible for client concerns. A member of the firm will acknowledge and respond to all email and call inquiries within 72 business hours.
B. Full Analysis. Edmonds Law Office promises to make a full analysis of your legal issue to enable you to make the best strategic decision for your case. We pride ourselves on thorough, detail-oriented work and commit to producing quality work product to help you accomplish your goals.
6. Client Obligations:
A. Help the firm obtain all information relevant to your case. You must produce all relevant evidence in your possession within 10 calendar days of signing this agreement.
B. Complete appropriate electronic intake forms including but not limited to business surveys and contract-specific intake forms within 7 calendar days of signing this agreement.
C. Make yourself available for meetings, contract discovery calls, and contract debriefing calls, in a timely fashion within 7 days of the request.
D. Carefully consider attorney’s advice before making any decisions that could impact your case, contract, or business.
E. Provide full, complete, and accurate information about your case and business, including bad or negative facts that do not support your case.
F. Provide attorney and staff with ongoing updates as case facts change or evolve within 7 calendar days of the change.
G. Provide immediate updates (within 48 hours) to firm regarding change of address, phone number, and email addresses.
H. Quickly respond to communications from firm staff (within 72 hours).
I. Communicate with firm staff and attorneys in a respectful and courteous manner at all times
7. Confidentiality: Attorneys are bound by confidentiality. Communications between clients and attorneys are protected by attorney-client privilege. As an extension of the attorney-client privilege, any written or tangible evidence produced by the attorney in furtherance of a prospective or current case, is protected from disclosure under the attorney work product doctrine.
To protect confidentiality, Edmonds Law Office prohibits third parties from participating in the attorney-client relationship, including but not limited to, in-person and virtual consultations, strategic calls, or any communications written or verbal that arise under the attorney-client relationship. The prohibition against third party communications protects clients in litigation, negotiations, and other unforeseen legal matters. Third parties have no obligation to keep matters confidential if the relationship (professional, personal, or otherwise) terminates in a negative or conflicting manner. In addition, third parties may be subpoenaed or deposed to testify against the client in future legal proceedings. For these reasons, courts have routinely held that clients who bring a third party into a confidential attorney-client conversation, waive the attorney-client privilege. For this reason, clients are discouraged from revealing information that would break attorney-client privilege. Any information provided or discovered during the course of our attorney-client agreement cannot and will not be shared without your written authorization. If you would like to authorize a spouse or another individual to speak to the firm about your case, please let the firm know and we will provide you with the appropriate attorney-client waiver and release of information form.
8. Attorney’s Fees: I have agreed to the following structure: Flat rate specified in the selected legal services package.
A flat fee is a set price that the client will pay in exchange for limited scope representation by the firm. Limited scope representation is an agreement to provide a single or series of limited legal tasks for a client. The firm has only agreed to perform limited work, either contract drafting or contract negotiation, as specified in the attached invoice and proposal. If your limited scope representation is limited to a defined term, e.g., 30 days, the period of representation begins once this agreement has been signed and attorney’s fees have cleared. If the term of representation has ended, and both parties would like to extend the attorney-client agreement, client will be required to sign a new attorney client agreement. Flat fees are earned upon receipt.
**Client understands that no work will be performed until attorney’s fees have been received and cleared**
9. Surcharges for Failure to Cooperate: Client will have no more than 7 calendar days to provide requested information to the firm. If firm is unable to complete contracted-for legal services within 30 calendar days because of lack of cooperation on part of the client, client will be billed a surcharge of $1,000. Any surcharge for failure to cooperate is due upon receipt, but no later than 24 hours after invoicing. Any unpaid fees are subject to late fees and withdrawal of representation, see P 12 and P 3.
10. Attorney’s Fee Dispute: If a dispute about attorney’s fees arises, the firm will keep any disputed amount in the client’s account until the dispute is resolved. Undisputed fees will be paid and distributed as earned to the firm’s operating account.
A. Arbitration. Client agrees that any unresolved conflicts about attorney’s fees will be resolved the Georgia Bar Fee Arbitration Program. If the matter is not resolved at the Georgia Bar, parties agree to resolve this matter via binding arbitration. The parties shall select an arbitrator with at least five (5) years’ experience of handling attorney-client disputes from JAMS. The arbitrator shall be empowered to determine the manner and procedure of the arbitration proceedings without regard to the Georgia Civil Practice Act or Georgia evidentiary rules. In any case, the arbitrator must issue a written decision within six (6) months of appointment. The determination of the arbitrator in such arbitration shall be final and binding and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. The parties agree that the final decision of the appointed arbitrator is not appealable.
B. In the event of any legal action (including arbitration) to enforce or interpret this Agreement, the non-prevailing Party shall pay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses (including expert witness fees) of the prevailing Party in such amount as may be determined. Recoverable attorney’s fees shall include any costs incurred pre-arbitration to include informal communications between the parties related to the dispute; formal communications related to the Georgia Bar Fee Arbitration Program; and any ancillary or associated legal fees. In addition, such non-prevailing Party shall pay reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the prevailing Party in enforcing a judgment in favor of the prevailing Party. The preceding sentence is intended by the Parties to be severable from the other provisions of this Agreement and to survive and not be merged into such judgment.
11. Rejected Payments: If for any reason a submitted payment is rejected, client is responsible for the rejected payment fee of $100. Rejected payment fees and late fees must be paid in conjunction with attorney’s fees to continue representation. If a third party pays attorney’s fees for client, payer understands that attorney remains obligated to the client only. By submitting an ACH, credit, or debit card details to the firm for payment, you agree that you are the account holder or that you are authorized to submit payment to the firm.
12. Late Fees: Payments are due within twenty-four (24) hours of the invoicing date. All overdue accrued and unpaid interest to be paid hereunder shall entail a late fee at an interest rate equal to the lesser of 18% per annum or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law (the “Late Fees”) which shall accrue daily from the date such interest is due hereunder through and including the date of actual payment in full.
13. Conflicts of Interest: If attorney determines that she represents another client whose interests conflict, or are likely to conflict with client’s interests, attorney reserves the right to terminate this agreement, while protecting the confidentiality of any privileged information that client has provided to attorney.
14. Multiple Clients or Decision-Makers: If firm has agreed to represent a corporate entity or two or more individuals, the firm must obtain written consent from each client or authorized decision-maker prior to moving forward with any case-related decisions. If the firm is representing a corporate entity, the firm will be required to adhere to the entity’s governing documents that disclose decision-making authority and payee protocols. Client agrees to provide these documents expeditiously, but no later than five (5) business days after engagement, so as not to delay representation.
15. Communication Policy: All communications from the Firm will occur via the encrypted, secure client portal. In the portal, you will receive calendar invites related to your case, submit documents for our review, and receive documents from the Firm. Edmonds Law Office will provide clients with a minimum of one update per month via the client portal. If your case requires communication on a more frequent basis, you will hear from a member of the firm more frequently. You will be working closely with firm staff, including a case manager/paralegal and attorney assigned to your case. Absent an emergency, client agrees to allow the firm 72 hours to return its call or portal message. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the firm is available to clients during firm business hours only. Client understands that firm staff are not available outside of business hours or on holidays. Firm holidays are posted in the client portals for client review. Client understands that it may be required to provide documents or evidence on an expedited basis in order to complete legal work product prior to upcoming closures, or extend contractual deadlines by the amount of time of the associated firm closure.
16. Controlling Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.
17. Consent to Jurisdiction and Venue. You agree that any and all claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought in Fulton County, Georgia. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and/or federal courts located in Fulton County, Georgia. You waive (a) any objection to jurisdiction or venue, or (b) any defense claiming lack of jurisdiction or improper venue, in any action brought in such courts.
18. No Waiver. Each of the Parties agrees that no breach of any provision hereof can be waived, except in writing signed by the waiving Party. The waiver of a breach of any provision hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of any other breach of any provision hereof.
19. Severability. In the event that any term or provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, such illegality, invalidity, or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement, which remaining terms and provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all Parties hereto had signed the document. All counterparts shall be construed together to constitute one agreement.
21. Informed Consent. Client has read this agreement in its entirety and understands all of its terms. Client knowingly enters into this agreement knowing that no guaranteed outcome has been provided by the firm.
22. Notice. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, any notice required by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be given to You if: (a) delivered personally; (b) sent to any email address on file with the Firm as provided by You; (c) mailed by U.S. First Class Mail to the Address provided by You; or (d) posted to the secure client portal.
23. Money back guarantee. If, within 30 days of hiring Edmonds Law Office, the client determines that the firm has not provided three (3) specific ways to improve their medical practice, they may request a full refund by notifying the firm in writing at refunds@aedmondslaw.com. This guarantee applies exclusively to the following services: Diagnosis, Diagnosis + Prescription, and Complete Wellness Checkup. To be eligible for a refund, the client must submit their written request within 30 days; failure to do so will result in ineligibility for a refund. If the firm provides the guaranteed services, the client will not be entitled to a refund.
24. Electronic Signature. The Parties agree that this Agreement and any other documents to be delivered in connection herewith may be electronically signed, and that electronic signatures appearing on this Agreement or other such documents are the same as handwritten signatures for the purposes of validity, enforceability, and admissibility.
25. Thank You. Edmonds Law Office appreciates the opportunity to represent you in your legal matter.