Attachment B: Sample Fee Agreement Forms: Three Sample Fee Agreements (Clean and Redline)
5. LEGAL FEES AND BILLING PRACTICES
Client agrees to pay by the hour at Attorney’s rates as set forth below for all time spent on
Client’s matter by Attorney and Attorney’s legal personnel. Current hourly rates for legal
personnel are as follows:
Senior partners ____________ /hour
Partners _____________ /hour
Associates _____________ /hour
Paralegals _____________ /hour
Law clerks _____________ /hour
The rates on this schedule are subject to change on 30 days written notice to Client. If Client
declines to pay increased rates, Attorney will have the right to withdraw as attorney for
Client if permitted under the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California
and/or applicable law.
The time charged will include, but is not limited to, the time Attorney spends on telephone
calls, e-mails and other electronic communications relating to Client’s matter, including calls
and e-mails with Client, witnesses, opposing counsel, court personnel or other persons.
[OPTIONAL: The legal personnel assigned to Client’s matter may confer among themselves
about the matter, as required and appropriate. When they do confer, each person will charge
for the time expended, as long as the work done is reasonably necessary and not duplicative.
Likewise, if more than one of the legal personnel attends a meeting, court hearing or other
proceeding, each will charge for the time spent.] Time is billed in minimum increments one-
tenth (.1) of an hour. Attorney will charge for waiting time in court and elsewhere and for
travel time, both local and out of town.
6. COSTS AND OTHER CHARGES
(a) Attorney will incur various costs and expenses in performing legal services under this
Agreement. Client agrees to pay for all costs, disbursements and expenses in addition to
the hourly fees. The costs and expenses commonly include, service of process charges,
filing fees, court and deposition reporters’ fees, translator/interpreter fees, jury fees,
notary fees, deposition costs, long distance telephone charges, messenger and other
delivery fees, postage, outside photocopying and other reproduction costs, travel costs
including parking, mileage, transportation, meals and hotel costs, investigation expenses,
consultants’ fees, expert witness, professional, mediator, arbitrator and/or special master
fees and other similar items. The foregoing external costs and expenses will be charged
at Attorney’s cost. Internal charges are billed at the following rates: (1) mileage – IRS
Standard Mileage Rate; (2) in-house printing and photocopying – [__] [PROVIDE
RATE] cents per page; (3) facsimile charges – [__] [PROVIDE RATE] cents per page;
(4) postage at cost; and (5) computerized legal research at cost.
(b) Out-of-town travel. Client agrees to pay transportation, meals, lodging and all other costs
of any necessary out-of-town travel by Attorney and Attorney’s personnel. Client will
February 1, 2019July 24, 2015
Sample Fee Agreement Form: Hourly Litigation
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