The Martzen Law Firm PLLC represents Texas clients in the review of employment agreements and severance agreements.  

The fee schedule for these reviews - for employees only - is as follows:

$590 flat rate for virtual review, comment & attorney phone consult (no in-person visit)
$890 flat rate for review followed-by in-person consultation at either of the Martzen Law Firm's offices (in-person consultations by appointment only)
$280 per hour: hourly rate services related to contract and severance reviews, such as negotiations with employer. 

This fee schedule is valid through February 2019 only and subject to the terms of the firm's contract. 

The firm agrees to represent client and to ensure a licensed Texas attorney associated with the Firm performs the following legal services:

• Review one Client-provided employment contract (or severance agreement) that is up to 30 pages in length, and provide written comments on the employment contract or severance agreement.
• After providing initial written comments, to provide up to one hour of attorney time advising Client verbally regarding Client's employment contract or severance agreement.  In lieu of verbal advice, the client may opt to correspond with attorney and receive advice via email.

Additional agreements between Client and Law Firm may be made to amend this agreement.  However, under this agreement, neither the Firm nor any attorney associated with the Firm have any obligation to:

• Negotiate terms of Client's employment contract or severance agreement with any employer, former employer, or prospective employer.
• Initiate communications on behalf of client (for example, drafting demand letters).
• Initiate administrative complaints on behalf of Client.
• Initiate mediation, arbitration, or litigation on behalf of Client.

For the legal services described above, Client agrees to pay a fee of $590.00.  A full-payment deposit to the Law Firm's trust account, paid by credit card, is required before this contract is effective.  If payment is not received, or is declined, Firm is NOT obligated to perform legal services under this agreement. 

The Law Firm earns fees and may transfer client's deposit from the Law Firm's trust account as follows: 1/2 of the fee is earned upon completion of initial review of Client's employment or severance contract.  The Law Firm earns the remainder of the fee after providing written comments to the Client and  completing at least one telephone consultation (or by corresponding with Client if Client chooses not to schedule a phone consultation).

Client acknowledges that no one associated with the Firm has made no promises or guarantees as to the outcome of the case.  Furthermore, no one associated with the Firm has made any promises or guarantees as to the outcome of the  the Client's application for employment or termination.  

Affiliation with Other Attorneys: Client agrees that the Firm may, in its sole discretion, employ or involve attorneys other than Ernst Martzen (the Firm's founder and owner) to assist in the review of Client's contract or evaluation of Client's legal posture. If the Firm employs other attorneys it will do so at no additional cost to Client beyond the fees stated in this agreement. 

Withdrawal or Termination: The Attorney-Client relationship may be terminated by either the Firm or Client at any time by written notice to the other party.  The Firm (and any attorney who performs the obligations of this contract on behalf of the Firm) reserve the right to withdraw from our representation if, among other things, Client should fail to honor the terms of this agreement or if any fact or circumstance would, in our view, render the Firm's continuing representation unlawful, unethical, or ineffective. If the Firm (and any attorney who performs the obligations of this contract on behalf of the Firm) elects to withdraw for any reason, Client will take all steps necessary to free Firm (and any attorney who performs the obligations of this contract on behalf of the Firm) of any obligation to perform further and the Firm and the firm will remain entitled to be paid for all services rendered and other charges accrued on Client’s behalf up until the date of termination. 

Severability: If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision thereof and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

Choice of Law & Venue: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to its choice of law principles. The parties agree that all actions and proceedings arising out of or relating directly or indirectly to this Agreement or any ancillary agreement or any other related obligations shall be litigated solely and exclusively in the state courts of Van Zandt County, Texas or the Federal courts of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, and that such courts are convenient forums. Each party hereby submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for purposes of any such actions or proceedings.

Client Documents: The Firm will maintain any documents provided by Client. At the conclusion of the case, or earlier if the Client desires, the Client shall advise the firm as to which original documents, if any were provided to the firm, the Client wants returned.  The Firm will retain any remaining documents in our files for a certain period of time in accordance with the document retention policy then in effect at the Firm.

Date Representation Begins: Before representation begins, the Client must sign this agreement and pay any fees required to be paid upfront (such as a deposit or retainer). Representation does not begin until the Firm has received both.  Additionally, representation does not begin until the law firm has countersigned this agreement - this gives the firm an opportunity to screen for conflicts of interest and other issues of concern.  If conflict(s) of interest are identified, or if there is another impediment to representation, Client will be informed as soon as possible and any payment made by Client will be immediately refunded.  

Promise to Keep Firm Informed: Client agrees to keep the Firm advised of Client’s telephone number(s) and, if appropriate, client’s e-mail as soon as possible after changes to such contact information occur.

Confidential Information: Client's information may be transmitted to the firm using third party technology service providers such as JotForm, Adobe, Uploadcare, Madwire, Youcanbook.me, Microsoft Exchange servers, LawPay by Affinipay, etc. (collectively, "third party providers"). Even though the Firm strives to use only reputable and secure third party providers, Client understands that communications with the Firm using technological means will likely allow third party providers to have access to some of Client's confidential information, and that Client's information will be protected in accordance with each third party provider's unique privacy policy.  Clients who do not want to transmit their information to third party providers should not use this web form, and should contact the firm via phone to discuss other options.  Once the Firm possesses confidential client information, the firm will maintain and retain such information in accordance with the laws, regulations, and rules governing the conduct of attorneys in the State of Texas.  

Notice to Client: The State Bar of Texas requires that the Firms provide the following information [Tex. Gov't Code §81.079]: The State Bar of Texas investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct committed by Texas attorneys. Although not every complaint against or dispute with a lawyer involves professional misconduct, the State Bar’s Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel will provide you with information about how to file a complaint. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-932-1900.  Additionally, a copy of the “Texas Lawyer’s Creed--A Mandate for Professionalism,” as promulgated by the Texas Supreme Court, is available at the State Bar of Texas website, located at www.texasbar.com.