An Attorney Representation Agreement is a legally binding contract between a client and an attorney. This template is designed for use by companies or individuals looking to hire an attorney as a private contractor to handle small or one-off matters.
Attorney independent contractors are typically specialists with extensive legal expertise in a specific area of law. They often handle various tasks relating to one type of matter. For instance, an independent contractor attorney may draft or review contracts and handle contract-related disagreements.
Why Use
- Ideal for limited and short-term legal tasks
- Freedom to choose clients
- Ability to work from home or other desired location
- Control over hours worked
- Potential to earn more than a direct employee
- Independent control over attorney business choices
- Ability to work with multiple clients
What Is an Attorney?
An attorney is a professional who has finished law school and passed the bar exam. They are licensed to practice law and represent clients in court proceedings in their licensed state.
Services Provided
An attorney can provide the following services:
- Legal document preparation
- Document reviews
- Conflict resolution through mediation or arbitration
- Legal consultations and advice
- Representation in legal proceedings
- Legal research, analysis, and interpretation
- Communicate with others involved in a legal case
Salary & Hourly Rate
According to Salary.com, attorneys in the US make between $89,000 and $450,000 on average. Hourly rates can range from $50 per hour to over $1000. Average hourly rates for a lawyer are around $300.
The cost of an attorney varies widely depending on the following factors:
- Education and experience
- Certifications
- Specialization
- Number of years in practice
- Type of work performed
Considerations
An attorney acting as an independent contractor carries the full load of legal liability. Protect yourself from potential legal pitfalls by including the following details in your independent contractor attorney agreement:
Scope of Work
Indicate the matter for which you will provide legal assistance. Use as much detail as possible when describing the legal matter and your specific role as a consultant, legal advisor, or legal representative.
Limitations on Services
Indicate limitations and services not included in the agreement. For instance, if your agreement is for a contract review only, you may indicate that your contract does not include legal representation in court proceedings.
Confidentiality Terms
Outline the confidentiality terms of your agreement, including attorney-client privilege and any exclusions. Consider including a confidentiality agreement as an addendum to the contract for highly sensitive matters.
Intellectual Property Rights
If your agreement involves access to intellectual property, including patented, copyrighted, or trademarked ideas or designs, indicate who will retain rights to that property.
Financial Consideration
State the financial consideration you will receive for your legal services, whether it is a flat rate, retainer agreement, or hourly fee. Use an attorney invoice template to submit invoices once work is complete.
Payment Terms
Clarify how payment should be sent and how long the client has to make payments. Include links to online portals and payment apps or an address to which the client can send a check to. Define penalties for late payments, including late fees, interest, and collection practices.
Termination Clause
Indicate the terms under which each party can terminate the agreement. Note how any existing matters will be handled and whether notice should be given verbally or in writing.
Attorney Representation Agreement Sample
Download a free attorney representation agreement in Word or PDF format below.
