Category: Legal Ethics Category: Legal Ethics (show less)

Speakers
Kendra Basner
O'Rielly & Roche LLP   

Cassidy E. Chivers
Barron & Newburger, P.C.    

Carl W. Chamberlin
UC Law SF

Including improper provisions in attorney-client fee agreements (aka engagement letters) can have dire consequences, ranging from attorney discipline to disqualification to unenforceable terms and loss of fees. While the State Bar website contains sample fee agreement provisions that are generally permissible depending on the circumstances, every lawyer must take care before including other provisions that are, or may be, inconsistent with the California Rules of Professional Conduct. Join members of BASF’s Legal Ethics Committee for a review of some commonly misunderstood or misused clauses that can lead to trouble. 

Topics
State Bar Advisory Fee Agreement Forms – To Be Used With a Caveat
Business and Professions Code Sections 6147-6148
Limitations on Client Authority Over Objectives and Settlement
Provisions Regarding Fees, Including Referring to Fees as Nonrefundable
Provisions Regarding Withdrawal
Provisions Regarding Client Files and Other Client Property
Other Problematic Terms