Zhane Robinson

Professor Bast
Legal Writing
21 January 2014
Attorney's flat fee agreementDissolution of marriage proceeding
This agreement is made between Elsa Frost of 2013 Pixar lane (client),
and Zhane Robinson of 1234 knight Blvd. Orlando, FL 56789 (attorney).
SECTION I. PURPOSE OF EMPLOYMENT
Client employs attorney as attorney and counselor at law to file a
complaint for dissolution of marriage against client's spouse in the
proper court, to pursue such complaint to its ultimate conclusion, and
to represent client in all related proceedings.
SECTION II. COMPENSATION OF ATTORNEY
Client will pay attorney as follows:
1. The total fee to be charged client for legal services to be performed
by attorney is $15,000.
2. In the event client withdraws the complaint or the parties reconcile
after the date of this agreement, client agrees to pay counsel a fee
calculated at the rate of $100 per hour, with a maximum of $3,000.
3. Upon the execution of this agreement, client agrees to pay attorney
the amount of $15,000 as retainer fee. The balance of the fees as
agreed upon in Paragraph 1 will be paid upon the issuance of a
judgment of dissolution. In the event the petition is withdrawn or the
parties reconcile after the date of this agreement, attorney will deduct
the amount of hourly fees earned, and if there is an unexpended
balance, refund to client any unearned balance out of the retainer fee.
If the retainer fee is insufficient to pay for such hourly fee, client will
immediately pay the difference.
SECTION III. EXPENSES
1. Client authorizes attorney to employ other persons or entities as
may be needed by attorney in handling the dissolution proceedings,
including, but not limited to, investigators and expert witnesses. Client
agrees to pay for the fees of such persons or to promptly reimburse
attorney in the event attorney has advanced the fees for such persons.
2. Client authorizes attorney to incur all necessary expenses in
connection with the dissolution proceedings, including, but not limited

to, court costs and expenses for filing and serving papers, messenger
expenses, long-distance phone calls, copying and obtaining copies of
materials, certifications of documents, transcripts, travel expenses,
and other out-of-pocket expenses. Client agrees to pay for such
expenses and agrees to promptly reimburse attorney in the event
attorney has advanced such expenses.
3. Client will deposit with attorney, upon the execution of this
agreement, the amount of $[dollar amount of deposit] to cover the
fees and expenses provided for in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Section.
In the event the deposit becomes depleted, client agrees to promptly
replenish it. Such deposit shall bear no interest.
SECTION IV. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
Attorney agrees to inform client from time to time as to the status of all
matters handled by attorney. Attorney agrees to make available to
client for reading in attorney's office during office hours all written
materials prepared, sent, or received by attorney pertaining to the
dissolution proceedings. Copies of such materials will be provided to
client, upon client's request, and at client's expense. Client agrees to
provide attorney with all information known by or available to client,
which may assist attorney in handling the dissolution proceedings.
SECTION V. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Attorney agrees not to accept any employment, which directly conflicts
with the interests of the client in connection with the dissolution of
marriage proceeding.
SECTION VI. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
The relationship established by this agreement may be terminated as
follows:
1. Client may terminate employment of attorney for cause if attorney
fails to diligently comply with attorney's obligations under this
agreement, by notifying attorney in writing of such termination. In the
event of such termination, client shall pay attorney for all attorney's
fees on an hourly basis as provided in SECTION TWO, Paragraph 2, and
for fees of other persons and expenses incurred in connection with the
dissolution proceedings up to the time of such termination. Attorney
shall not be entitled to any further compensation. Attorney will refund
any unearned portion of the retainer fee and any unused portion of the
deposit. If the retainer is insufficient to pay the attorney's fees or
insufficient to cover the fees and expenses incurred, client will pay the
shortage.
2. Client may terminate the employment of attorney without cause, by
notifying attorney in writing of such termination. In the event of such
termination, client agrees to pay attorney for all fees that attorney
would have been entitled to receive if this agreement had not been

terminated. Client also agrees to pay the fees for other persons
employed by attorney and for all expenses incurred by attorney in
connection with the dissolution proceedings.
3. Attorney may terminate this agreement if client fails to comply with
its terms and conditions, by notifying client in writing of such
termination. In the event of such termination, client shall pay attorney
for all fees earned and expenses incurred by attorney up to the time of
the termination in connection with the dissolution proceedings.
4. This agreement will automatically terminate upon the death of either
party. In such event, client or client's legal successors will pay attorney
or attorney's legal successors the amount earned by attorney up to the
time of the death and pay all other fees and expenses incurred by
attorney in connection with the proceedings up to the time of the
death.
SECTION VII. ARBITRATION
In case of disagreement between the parties respecting this
agreement, the dispute shall be referred to arbitration. Each party shall
appoint an arbitrator and the two parties together shall select a third
arbitrator. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final
and binding between the parties. The costs of arbitration shall be
borne equally between the parties.
SECTION VIII. ATTORNEY'S LIEN
Attorney shall have a lien on client's files and records to insure the
satisfaction of all of client's obligations under this agreement.
SECTION IX. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties
respecting the matter involved in this agreement. This agreement shall
not be modified except by written agreement signed by the parties.
In witness, the parties have executed this agreement at 1234 knight
Blvd. Orlando, FL 56789 on January ____, 2014.
Zhane Robinson
By:
_________________________
Zhane Robinson
Attorney and Counselor at law
_________________________
Elsa Frost