Legal Charging Agreement

LEGAL CHARGING AGREEMENT

This Legal Charging Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of by and between Attorney/Firm: with principal address , and Client Name: with address .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client has retained Attorney to provide legal services related to the claim described as (Case/File No.: ) in the jurisdiction of .

WHEREAS, Attorney requires assurance of payment for services, costs, and disbursements and seeks to create and preserve an equitable charging lien and related security interest in any Recovery (as defined below) obtained on Client's behalf; and

WHEREAS, Client agrees to grant Attorney such lien and security as described in this Agreement to secure payment of Attorney's Fees and Costs in connection with the representation.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 "Recovery" means the gross amount obtained by Client by settlement, judgment, award, verdict or other resolution of the Claim, whether recovered by payment to Client, payment into escrow, or paid to Attorney on Client's behalf.

1.2 "Attorney's Fees" or "Fees" means compensation due to Attorney under the Fee Provision set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement.

1.3 "Costs" means all expenses and disbursements advanced or incurred by Attorney in connection with the Claim, including but not limited to filing fees, expert fees, deposition costs, service of process, mediation and arbitration expenses, travel and investigation costs, and reasonable copying and postage.

2. ENGAGEMENT AND SCOPE

2.1 Client engages Attorney to prosecute, defend, or resolve the Claim on behalf of Client and to take such actions as Attorney deems necessary and appropriate in Attorney's professional judgment. Attorney shall have full authority to negotiate settlements, retain experts and consultants, and to incur Costs as provided herein.

3. CREATION OF CHARGING LIEN

3.1 As security for the payment of Attorney's Fees and Costs that accrue during the representation and for work already performed, Client expressly grants Attorney an equitable charging lien, security interest and, to the extent permitted by law, an assignment in and to any and all Recoveries obtained on account of the Claim. The lien and security interest attach to the proceeds of any Recovery and to any funds held in trust, escrow, or other accounts that constitute proceeds of the Claim.

3.2 Client authorizes Attorney to assert and preserve such lien or security by any appropriate means, including but not limited to filing notices, asserting liens in settlement documents, and seeking court recognition of the lien. Client further authorizes Attorney to withhold disbursement of any portion of a Recovery until Attorney's Fees and Costs are paid or appropriately secured consistent with this Agreement.

4. FEES AND COSTS

4.1 Fee Structure (select applicable option(s)). Client acknowledges the following fee arrangement:

Contingency fee of of Gross Recovery.

Hourly fee billed at $ per hour plus Costs.

4.2 Retainer. Client shall pay an initial retainer of to be held in Attorney's trust account and applied against Costs and/or Fees as set forth in Attorney's billing practices. The retainer does not diminish the Attorney's charging lien on Recoveries.

4.3 Costs. Attorney will advance Costs and will be reimbursed from Recoveries prior to distribution to Client unless otherwise agreed in writing. Attorney shall provide itemized statements of Costs incurred upon request.

5. PAYMENT, ESCROW AND DISBURSEMENT

5.1 Payment Priority. Upon receipt of any Recovery, Attorney is authorized to (a) satisfy Costs, (b) deduct Attorney's Fees as set forth in Section 4, and (c) remit the balance to Client. If the Recovery is placed into escrow or paid to a third party payor, Attorney may instruct the escrow holder or payor to withhold funds necessary to satisfy Attorney's Fees and Costs.

5.2 Escrow Instructions. Escrow or settlement documents shall reflect Attorney's interest as a charging liene or equivalent security and shall provide for distribution consistent with this Agreement. If a dispute arises regarding distribution, funds may be retained in escrow pending resolution.

6. ACCOUNTING; STATEMENTS; AUDIT

6.1 Accounting. Attorney shall maintain reasonable books and records of Hours, Fees and Costs relating to the representation. Upon request, Attorney shall provide Client with an itemized statement of Fees and Costs for any period or for any Recovery.

6.2 Audit. Client may request a review of billing entries and Cost disbursements within thirty (30) days after final distribution of a Recovery. Absent manifest error or fraud, Client waives the right to contest Fees or Cost allocations after that period.

7. CLIENT REPRESENTATIONS

Client represents and warrants that Client is the person or entity with authority to enter into this Agreement, that Client has disclosed all material facts known to Client regarding the Claim, and that Client is not subject to prior agreements that would impair Attorney's lien or right to payment under this Agreement, except as disclosed here:

8. CONFLICTS; AUTHORIZATION

Client authorizes Attorney to obtain necessary records, to consult or retain experts, to sign stipulations and release forms on Client's behalf to effectuate settlements, and to take such actions as are reasonably required to enforce Attorney's lien or to collect payment of Fees and Costs. Client further authorizes Attorney to provide notice of this Agreement and Attorney's lien to opposing counsel, insurers, or third-party payors.

9. TERMINATION

Upon termination of representation for any reason, Attorney is entitled to recover reasonable Fees and Costs for services performed to the date of termination and the charging lien and security interest shall continue to attach to any subsequent Recoveries to secure such amounts. The parties agree to cooperate in determining amounts owed and, if necessary, to seek judicial determination of disputed Fees.

10. REMEDIES

If Client breaches this Agreement or attempts to defeat or circumvent Attorney's lien, Attorney shall be entitled to pursue all available remedies at law or in equity, including recovery of fees and Costs, enforcement of the lien, and recovery of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in enforcing this Agreement. Such remedies are cumulative and not exclusive.

11. NOTICES

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses provided above by hand delivery, certified mail, or other nationally recognized overnight courier service, and shall be deemed given upon receipt.

12. GOVERNING LAW; VENUE

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of . Venue for any dispute relating to this Agreement shall lie in the state or federal courts located in that state, to the extent permitted by law.

13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY; AMENDMENT; WAIVER

13.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, and understandings.

13.2 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

13.3 Amendment; Waiver. No amendment, modification, or waiver of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties. A waiver of any breach shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

14. COUNTERPARTS; EXECUTION

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Electronic or facsimile copies of signatures shall be treated as originals for all purposes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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