Legal Services Agreement

1. Scope of Representation

Firm will represent Client in the lawsuit described when you sign (the "Lawsuit"). Within that scope, Firm will review the complaint and summons, prepare and file an answer and any defenses that Firm's attorney judges appropriate, prepare and respond to written discovery, prepare and file appropriate motions (including a motion to dismiss where warranted), communicate with the plaintiff or its counsel, negotiate at Client's direction, and represent Client in the trial court through final resolution of the Lawsuit.

This is a limited-scope engagement under Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 1.2(c), and Client gives informed consent to that limit. Unless Client and Firm agree in a signed writing, the engagement does not include: an appeal or any post-judgment proceeding; counterclaims or affirmative claims against the plaintiff or others (for example under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or Fair Credit Reporting Act); bankruptcy; credit repair or credit-report disputes; defense of any other lawsuit; garnishment defense; or tax advice.

Firm has told Client that other options exist, including responding without a lawyer, and that this limited scope may not address every legal issue Client faces.

2. Firm's Responsibilities

Firm will provide competent and diligent representation, keep Client reasonably informed about the status of the Lawsuit, respond promptly to reasonable requests for information, and explain matters so that Client can make informed decisions (Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, and 1.4). An attorney licensed in Georgia will be responsible for Client's matter. Other attorneys and staff at Firm may assist.

3. Client's Responsibilities

Client agrees to: give Firm complete and truthful information; promptly provide every document related to the Lawsuit, including the complaint, summons, and anything later received from the court or the other side; tell Firm right away the date and manner in which Client was served; keep Firm informed of any change of address, phone number, or email; respond promptly to Firm's requests; and attend every hearing, mediation, or other proceeding where Client's attendance is required.

Client understands that court deadlines in Georgia are strict. Failure to respond to a lawsuit on time can result in a default judgment. Firm's ability to protect Client's deadlines depends on Client providing the papers and information promptly. Client also understands that Firm cannot act on documents Firm has not received.

4. Fees and Costs

Flat fee. Client will pay Firm a flat fee of $1,500 (claim up to $10,000) or $2,500 (claim over $10,000)* for the services described in the Scope of Representation. The fee is set by the amount the plaintiff claims in the Lawsuit: $1,500 if the claim is up to $10,000, and $2,500 if the claim is over $10,000. If the complaint shows a materially different claim amount than Client reported, Firm will confirm the correct fee with Client before continuing.

Payment. The flat fee is paid by card through Firm's online payment processor before Firm begins substantive work. Firm does not receive or store Client's card details.

No refunds once accepted. The flat fee is earned when Firm accepts Client's matter, which happens after Firm confirms that no conflict of interest exists and notifies Client that it is proceeding. From that point the flat fee is non-refundable, including if Client ends the engagement early, resolves the matter another way, or does not use the services, because Firm has committed its time and reserved capacity to Client's matter. The fee will be deposited into Firm's operating account. [ATTORNEY: confirm this wording against Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5(a) and 1.16(d). A fee that is unreasonable, or that is unearned when the engagement ends before the work is substantially done, may still have to be refunded regardless of this clause. Consider whether an IOLTA-based structure under Rule 1.15(I) is safer.]

Refund before acceptance only. If a conflict of interest prevents Firm from proceeding, or if Firm declines Client's matter for any other reason before accepting it, Firm will refund the flat fee in full. Payment of the fee does not by itself mean Firm has accepted the matter.

Costs not included.* The flat fee does not include costs paid to others, such as court filing fees, process-server and other service fees, court reporter and transcript fees, record or document retrieval fees, postage, or similar third-party costs. Firm will bill those separately at Firm's actual cost, without markup. [ATTORNEY DECISION: state a dollar amount above which Firm must get Client's approval before incurring a cost, for example $250.]

Additional work. If Client asks for, or the Lawsuit requires, work outside the Scope of Representation, Firm will describe the work and any additional fee, and it will be provided only under a new signed writing.

Fee disputes. If Client has a question or dispute about fees, Client is encouraged to raise it with Firm first. The State Bar of Georgia also offers a fee arbitration program that may be available to resolve fee disputes. [ATTORNEY: confirm current program name and eligibility before use.]

5. Consumer Protection Review and Fee Recovery

As part of the representation, Firm will review Client's matter for possible violations of consumer protection laws by the plaintiff or its collectors, such as the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and related state and federal laws. Some of these laws allow a consumer who succeeds on a claim to recover attorney's fees and costs from the other side. If Client's matter qualifies, Firm will discuss with Client whether to assert a claim or counterclaim.

Firm does not promise that any violation will be found, that any claim will succeed, or that Client will recover any money or any part of the flat fee. [ATTORNEY DECISION: state whether asserting a counterclaim is within the flat fee or requires a separate written agreement, who keeps any statutory fee award, and whether Firm will credit or reimburse any part of the flat fee Client paid if a fee award or settlement is obtained. Confirm the treatment complies with Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 and any fee-shifting rules before use.]

6. Communications and Electronic Records

Firm will communicate with Client mainly by email, phone or text message, and Firm's secure client portal, using the contact information Client has provided. Client consents to these methods. Email and text messages can be intercepted or read by others; Client should not use an email account or device that others can access if Client wants communications to stay private.

Client agrees that electronic signatures, electronic delivery of documents, and electronic records are valid and effective for this Agreement and for the representation, including under the Georgia Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-12-1 et seq.) and the federal E-SIGN Act.

7. Use of Technology and AI-Assisted Tools

Firm uses technology, including artificial-intelligence tools, to help review documents and prepare first drafts, which is part of how Firm is able to offer a flat fee. A licensed attorney reviews, edits, and approves every document before it is filed or sent on Client's behalf, and remains responsible for the work.

To do this, Client's information and documents may be processed by trusted third-party service providers, under confidentiality and data-protection terms, for the sole purpose of providing services to Client. [ATTORNEY: confirm that each vendor's terms prohibit use of client data to train models and that this disclosure satisfies your Rule 1.6 obligations.] Client consents to this use.

8. Confidentiality

Firm will keep information relating to the representation confidential as required by the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct (Rule 1.6). Communications between Client and Firm for the purpose of obtaining legal advice are generally protected by the attorney-client privilege; Client should not share Firm's advice with others, because doing so can waive the privilege.

9. Conflicts of Interest

Firm's acceptance of this engagement depends on Firm confirming that no conflict of interest exists under Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 1.7. Client has provided the names of the opposing parties and counsel for that purpose. If a conflict is identified, Firm will tell Client promptly and will not proceed, and Client will receive a refund as described above. Until Firm confirms it can accept the matter, Firm owes Client only the duties owed to a prospective client under Rule 1.18, and Client should protect Client's own deadlines.

10. No Guarantee of Outcome

Firm will use its professional judgment and best efforts, but cannot and does not promise any particular result, including that the Lawsuit will be dismissed, that a judgment will not be entered, or that any settlement will be reached. Any statement about possible outcomes is an opinion only.

11. Settlement and Client Decisions

Client decides whether to settle the Lawsuit (Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 1.2(a)). Firm will promptly tell Client about any settlement offer and give Client Firm's advice. Firm will not settle the Lawsuit without Client's consent. Firm will follow Client's lawful instructions about the objectives of the representation, and will consult with Client about the means of pursuing them.

12. Client File

Client may request a copy of Client's file at any time. Firm will keep the file for [six (6)] years after the representation ends and may then destroy it without further notice to Client, unless Client asks in writing for its return before that time. [ATTORNEY: confirm retention period against your file-retention policy and Rule 1.15(I) record requirements.]

13. Ending the Representation

Client may end the representation at any time by written notice. Firm may withdraw as permitted or required by Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16, for example if Client fails to cooperate or provide requested information, if continuing would violate the Rules or the law, or for other good cause, and will give Client reasonable notice and time to find other counsel. If the court's permission is required, Firm will ask for it, and Client agrees to cooperate. Upon termination Firm will take reasonable steps to protect Client's interests, and return Client's papers and property. The flat fee is not refunded except as stated in Fees and Costs.

Unless ended sooner, the representation ends when the Lawsuit is finally resolved in the trial court. After that, Firm has no continuing duty to advise Client about later legal developments, deadlines, or deadlines to appeal unless Client and Firm agree in writing.

14. General Terms

This Agreement is governed by Georgia law and the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct. It is the entire agreement between Client and Firm about this engagement and may be changed only in a signed writing. If any part is found unenforceable, the rest remains in effect. Nothing in this Agreement limits any right Client has under the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct or other law that cannot be waived. [ATTORNEY: review whether any dispute-resolution, venue, or limitation-of-liability term is desired; none is included in this draft, and any limitation of liability would be restricted by Rule 1.8(h).]

15. Acknowledgment

By checking the box and continuing, Client confirms that Client has read and understood this Agreement, has had the chance to ask questions and to consult another lawyer, and agrees to its terms. Client's acceptance, with the date, time, and IP address, will be recorded.

* Our flat fees cover the attorney work described for your matter. They do not include court filing fees, process-server or other service fees, court reporter and transcript fees, record or document retrieval fees, postage, or similar third-party costs. Those are billed separately, at cost.