Fee Agreement – Hourly (Employment - Defense)

1. Parties and Matter

• Law Firm: [FIRM NAME], [ADDRESS].
• Client: [CLIENT NAME], [ADDRESS].
• Matter: Defense of employment claims brought by [CLAIMANT NAME] involving [DISCRIMINATION/RETALIATION/WAGE & HOUR/OTHER].

2. Scope of Representation

The Firm will provide the following services:
☐ Internal investigation and legal advice
☐ Response to demand letters or agency charges
☐ Settlement negotiations and mediation
☐ Litigation or arbitration (if authorized in writing)
☐ Limited-scope service only: [DESCRIBE LIMITS]

Services outside the selected scope require a written amendment.

3. Hourly Rates and Billing Increments

Services are billed at the following rates (subject to periodic adjustment with [NUMBER] days' notice):
- Partners: $[RATE]/hour
- Senior Associates: $[RATE]/hour
- Associates: $[RATE]/hour
- Paralegals/Legal Assistants: $[RATE]/hour

Minimum billing increment: [0.1] hour.
Travel time billed at: ☐ full rate ☐ half rate.

4. Retainer Deposit

Client will pay an initial retainer of $[AMOUNT], deposited into the Firm's trust account. The Firm will apply the retainer to fees and costs as billed. Client agrees to replenish the retainer to $[MAINTAINED AMOUNT] within [NUMBER] days of request.

5. Invoicing and Payment Terms

• Invoices issued: [MONTHLY/BIWEEKLY].
• Payment due within [NUMBER] days.
• Past-due balances accrue interest at [RATE]% per month or the maximum lawful rate.

If a carrier or third-party administrator pays invoices, Client remains responsible for any unpaid amounts.

6. Costs and Expenses

Client is responsible for reasonable case costs, including:
- Filing fees, service of process, court reporters
- Expert fees, investigators, and e-discovery vendors
- Deposition transcripts, mediation fees, and travel (if necessary)
- Copying, postage, and document management

Costs over $[AMOUNT] require prior approval unless needed to protect Client's interests.

7. Client Responsibilities

Client agrees to:
- Provide complete and accurate information and documents.
- Preserve evidence and avoid deleting texts, emails, or files.
- Implement litigation holds and designate custodians.
- Maintain confidentiality of Firm advice and strategy.
- Inform the Firm of any new developments or contact from claimant or counsel.

8. Settlement Authority

Client retains final authority to accept or reject settlement offers. The Firm will communicate all offers promptly and provide recommendations.

9. Termination and Withdrawal

Client may terminate at any time. The Firm may withdraw as permitted by applicable rules and court orders. Upon termination, Client is responsible for fees and costs incurred through the termination date. Any unearned trust funds will be refunded after final accounting.

10. Fee Dispute Resolution

Fee disputes will be submitted to any applicable bar fee dispute program before litigation, if required by law.

11. Governing Law and Venue

This Agreement is governed by the laws of [STATE], with venue in [COUNTY], [STATE], unless otherwise required by law.

12. Signatures