RETAINER AGREEMENT

RETAINER AGREEMENT

Forensic Behavioral Health Consultation & Litigation Support Agreement
This Retainer Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into on:*

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Date
Between Jamila Coleman, MA, CC, HT, MHP, CMHS

License: CL61314714 and HP61226561 (Washington State)

Phone: (206) 432-2933

Email: Contact@therapywithjamila.com

Website: www.therapywithjamila.com/legal

Services provided under this Agreement are forensic and consultative in nature and do not constitute psychotherapy or clinical treatment.
Law Firm*
Law Firm's Supervising Counsel*

First NameLast Name
Law Firm's Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Law Firm's Email*
example@example.com
Law Firm's Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Law Firm's Website*
Representing Client:*

First NameLast Name
OVERVIEW OF SCOPE OF SERVICES:
Jamila Coleman agrees to provide forensic behavioral health consultation to the Law Firm, including: Case record review and behavioral health analysis; early case framing consultation; independent forensic evaluation (non-therapeutic);written expert reports; mediation preparation support and deposition and trial testimony. No psychotherapy, counseling, or treatment services will be provided under this Agreement.*

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Jamila Coleman agrees to provide clinical consultation to the Law Firm as required, including expert witness testimony and testimony preparation. *

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Jamila Coleman agrees to provide paralegal services to the Law Firm as required, including legal research, document drafting, case management, and other duties assigned by the supervising attorney.*

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Jamila Coleman agrees to provide the following services to support the Law Firm’s legal strategy on behalf of the Client vs: *
1. Review and analyze medical, behavioral health, educational, and institutional records to identify clinically relevant themes, standards of care considerations, psychological impact, and damages-related factors. Provide written or verbal forensic analysis to assist the Law Firm.*

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2. Conduct literature review and forensic research relevant to behavioral health standards, trauma science, diagnostic frameworks, and professional standards of care applicable to the case.*

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3. Assist in organizing behavioral health–related records and materials relevant to forensic analysis. This role does not include legal decision-making authority.*

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4. Consult with retained experts as directed by the Law Firm to clarify behavioral health concepts relevant to litigation.*

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5. Serve as a forensic behavioral health expert witness. Provide independent written reports, deposition testimony, and court testimony based on professional analysis and available evidence.*

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6. Providing expert witness testimony and testimony preparation: serve as a consultant and expert witness in legal proceedings to support legal arguments and educate judges and juries. Prepare witness reports, participate in dispositions, and testify in court to explain complex medical concepts, offer medical opinions, and help clarify medical evidence in a case.*

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LIMITATIONS:
Jamila Coleman is retained solely as a forensic behavioral health consultant and/or expert witness. No therapist–client relationship is established between Jamila Coleman and the represented Client.*

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Jamila Coleman reserves the right to decline engagement in any matter presenting a conflict of interest, including prior therapeutic relationships, financial conflicts, or ethical conflicts. *

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All communications and materials generated under this Agreement are directed by the retaining Law Firm and may be protected under attorney–client privilege and/or work-product doctrine as applicable. The represented Client is not entering into a therapeutic relationship and should not expect therapeutic confidentiality protections.*

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The Law Firm understands that under this agreement Jamila Coleman’s duty is is to provide objective, independent forensic analysis based on professional standards and the available evidence. Opinions rendered may not align with the Law Firm’s litigation strategy.*

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Miscellaneous provisions:*

No psychotherapy, diagnosis for treatment, counseling, or clinical intervention will be provided under this Agreement.Jamila Coleman provides independent professional opinions and does not guarantee litigation outcomes.Cancellations of deposition or trial testimony within seventy-two (72) hours will be billed at the reserved minimum rate.Forensic records will be maintained for seven (7) years in accordance with Washington professional standards.
FEES SCHEDULE:
The Law Firm agrees to pay Jamila Coleman for all billable hours worked on behalf of the Firm. Jamila Coleman will be compensated using the following fee schedule:*

Retainer ($3,500.00): Non-refundable; required prior to commencement of services. Work begins upon receipt of retainer. Retainer is applied to billed services.Forensic Consultation and Case Review ($250.00 per hour): Includes record review, case analysis, attorney consultation, strategy meetings, and behavioral health analysis.Forensic Evaluation ($3,500): Includes record review, client interview(s), collateral review, and written forensic report. (Complex matters billed hourly if scope exceeds standard parameters.)Expert Report Preparation ($300.00 per hour): Includes drafting, revisions, literature review, and rebuttal reports.Deposition ($550.00 per hour, 4-hour minimum): Time billed includes preparation, waiting time, and testimony.Trial Testimony ($2,750, half-day / 4 hour minimum): Time billed includes preparation, travel, waiting, and testimony.Trial Testimony ($6,000, half-day / 8 hour minimum): Time billed includes preparation, travel, waiting, and testimony.Travel Time ($300 per hour / portal-to-portal): All travel expenses reimbursed at actual cost.Administrative / Records Processing ($200.00): Includes document management, subpoena processing, billing preparation, and scheduling coordination.Depositions or trial appearances canceled within 72 hours of the scheduled date will be billed at the full reserved minimum rate.
The Law Firm will pay Jamila Coleman on a monthly basis for all billable hours worked. Payment shall be made within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the invoice. Jamila Coleman reserves the right to assess a late fee in the amount of $25.00 per day for unpaid invoices until paid. *

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Jamila Coleman agrees to not exceed the approved allotted billable hours without prior written authorization by the Law Firm.*
CONFIDENTIALITY:
Jamila Coleman is retained as a forensic behavioral health consultant and/or expert witness. The services provided under this Agreement are non-therapeutic and are conducted for litigation purposes only. All work product generated pursuant to this Agreement—including notes, analyses, draft reports, final reports, correspondence, and related materials—shall be the property of the retaining Law Firm, subject to the terms of this Agreement and applicable law.*

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NON-REFUNDABILITY:
The retainer fee paid by the Law Firm to Jamila Coleman in the amount of $3,500.00 is non-refundable. The Law Firm acknowledges that the retainer fee is paid to secure the availability of Jamila Coleman's services and is not refundable under any circumstances.*

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AMENDMENTS:
Either party may initiate an amendment to the Scope of Services and/or Fee Schedule by mutual written consent of both Parties. Any proposed amendments or modifications to this Agreement shall be provided in writing and agreed upon by both Parties before they become effective. This provision ensures that any changes to the terms of this Agreement are made in a transparent and mutually agreed-upon manner.*

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TERMINATION:
Either party may terminate this Agreement by providing thirty (30) calendar days' written notice to the other party. Upon termination, the Law Firm agrees to pay Jamila Coleman for all hours worked up to the date of termination.*

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This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the Law Firm and Jamila Coleman regarding the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings.*

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A copy of this signed agreement has been sent to Jamila Coleman.*
contact@therapywithjamila.com
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RETAINER AGREEMENT

OVERVIEW OF SCOPE OF SERVICES:

LIMITATIONS:

FEES SCHEDULE:

CONFIDENTIALITY:

NON-REFUNDABILITY:

AMENDMENTS:

TERMINATION: