Client Identity
Full legal name, contact information, and identification method — necessary to attribute the advice and support future authentication or compliance checks.
A clear written advice form reduces misunderstandings, supports risk management, and provides evidence of informed consent and scope of representation under professional conduct rules.
This form is used by attorneys, legal clinics, corporate counsel, and compliance officers to record advice and confirm client understanding.
Use this form when you need a concise, signed record of advice, next steps, and any client acknowledgements.
Full legal name, contact information, and identification method — necessary to attribute the advice and support future authentication or compliance checks.
A concise statement of the legal question or matter addressed, including dates and documents reviewed, so the advice remains narrowly tailored and defensible.
A brief factual summary relied upon when giving advice; explicitly note any assumptions to limit future disputes about the basis for counsel.
Clear, actionable recommendations and alternative options, with an indication of legal risks and likely outcomes tied to the stated facts.
Statements that clarify no attorney-client relationship beyond the scope, identify conflicts, and explain that additional analysis or documents may change advice.
Signature blocks for client and advisor, printed names, dates, and witness or notary fields if required by jurisdiction or organizational policy.
| Field | Configuration | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Signing Order | Sequential | Advisor signs first, client next |
| Authentication | Email + SMS | Use SMS code for higher assurance |
| Expiration | 30 days | Sets automatic link expiration |
| Retention Policy | Auto-archive | Retain signed PDF for required term |
Choose secure distribution channels that preserve audit trails and support required authentication levels.
Ensure your platform integrates with systems you use (Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365) and supports PDF/DOCX formats for records management.
Brian Fitzgibbons recorded limited-scope advice for a funding review to avoid broad representation.
Tim Martin used the form for property compliance advice provided remotely.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Trial available | Trial available |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |