Legal Court Instructions

LEGAL COURT INSTRUCTIONS

This Legal Court Instructions (the "Instructions") is made and entered into by and between Client Name: and Counsel Name: for the matter captioned: Case Caption: , pending in Court: , Case Number: . Effective Date:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Client has retained the Counsel to provide legal representation and to conduct court proceedings, including pretrial motions, disclosure, trial preparation, and hearings, in the matter identified above; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to record the Client's express procedural preferences, limits on settlement authority, evidentiary handling, witness instructions, and notice procedures so that Counsel may act in conformity with the Client's directions while preserving Counsel's professional and ethical obligations.

WHEREAS, these Instructions are intended to guide Counsel's conduct of the litigation and do not supersede any written engagement agreement between the parties unless expressly stated herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth below, the parties agree as follows:

1. SCOPE OF INSTRUCTIONS

Counsel shall act in accordance with these Instructions in all substantive and procedural matters in the referenced litigation, including but not limited to pleadings, discovery, motion practice, evidentiary matters, and trial presentation. These Instructions are directive and intended to be applied so long as they do not require Counsel to violate applicable rules of professional conduct or court orders.

2. AUTHORITY AND DECISION-MAKING

The Client retains ultimate authority to accept or reject settlement offers, to consent to or waive jury trial, and to make decisions affecting fundamental rights of the Client. Counsel is authorized to take tactical steps that are necessary for effective representation, subject to the limits set in Section 3. If settlement authority is delegated, the Client authorizes Counsel to settle this matter for up to . If settlement exceeds that amount, Counsel shall obtain express written or electronic approval from the Client prior to finalizing any agreement.

Require Client approval before settlement: (check to require approval).

3. FILINGS, MOTIONS, AND DEADLINES

Counsel shall notify the Client in advance of substantive filings and motions affecting the Client's rights. No dispositive motion or stipulation affecting jurisdiction, venue, or statute of limitations shall be filed or entered into without prior consultation with the Client. Counsel shall provide notice of all court deadlines and shall take necessary steps to preserve rights if the Client is unavailable.

Important upcoming deadline(s):

4. EVIDENCE, EXHIBITS, AND DOCUMENT HANDLING

The Client directs Counsel to prepare and maintain an indexed exhibit list, to preserve originals and chains of custody for physical evidence, and to disclose or lodge exhibits only as authorized below. Authentication and foundation requirements shall be addressed through witness preparation and, where applicable, through stipulation with opposing counsel.

5. WITNESSES AND SUBPOENAS

Counsel shall prepare a witness list and shall obtain Client approval before issuing subpoenas to persons not designated by the Client. The Client authorizes Counsel to issue subpoenas for the witnesses identified in the witness list below and to coordinate service and scheduling as necessary.

6. COURT APPEARANCES AND TECHNOLOGY

Counsel shall advise the Client before any in-person or remote hearing. Lead counsel for court appearances will be: . Counsel shall confirm courtroom technology requirements, exhibit management systems, and remote connectivity at least five business days before scheduled appearances.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY, PRIVILEGE, AND DOCUMENTS SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER

All communications between Client and Counsel made for the purpose of seeking legal advice are protected by the attorney-client privilege. Counsel shall take reasonable steps to claim privilege for privileged materials and shall consult the Client before waiving privilege or disclosing privileged documents. Documents produced under a protective order shall be handled in accordance with the order and these Instructions.

8. COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL

Counsel shall provide prompt updates on material developments. Primary notification methods (check all that apply): Email Telephone U.S. Mail.

9. RETENTION OF RECORDS AND EXHIBITS

Counsel shall retain files, exhibits, trial notebooks, and electronic media in accordance with professional standards for a minimum of five years following final disposition unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. Counsel shall not destroy originals of material documents without prior written consent of the Client.

10. FEES, COSTS, AND INDEMNIFICATION

This document does not amend any fee agreement between the parties except as expressly stated. The Client shall indemnify and hold Counsel harmless for reasonable expenses and costs incurred in complying with these Instructions, except to the extent Counsel is compensated under an existing engagement agreement or fee arrangement.

11. NOTICES

Formal notices required under these Instructions shall be made in writing and delivered to the addresses listed above or such other address as a party may designate by written notice. Notices are effective upon delivery if delivered personally, on the date of transmission if sent by email to an address provided to the other party, or three business days after deposit if sent by U.S. mail.

12. AMENDMENT, WAIVER, AND SEVERABILITY

These Instructions may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both the Client and Counsel. No waiver of any provision shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party granting the waiver. If any provision of these Instructions is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

13. GOVERNING LAW

These Instructions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the state specified by the parties below, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

These Instructions constitute the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior written or oral statements relating to these topics, except to the extent otherwise provided in a separate written engagement agreement.

15. COUNTERPARTS

This document may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

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