Non-Engagement Letter

[LAW FIRM NAME]
[Firm Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Website]

Date: [__/__/____]

VIA: ☐ First Class Mail ☐ Email ☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested

[Prospective Client Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Re: Notice of Non-Engagement - No Attorney-Client Relationship Exists
Matter: [________________________________]

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx. Prospective Client Last Name]:

Thank you for contacting [Law Firm Name] and for considering us regarding your legal matter. After careful review, I am writing to inform you that we will not be representing you in this matter.

This letter confirms that no attorney-client relationship exists between you and this firm.

Important Information

No Attorney-Client Relationship

Please understand that:

☐ We have not agreed to represent you
☐ We are not your attorneys in this or any other matter
☐ We have no obligation to take any action on your behalf
☐ We will not be filing any documents, appearing in court, or taking any other action for you
☐ You should not rely on anything discussed during our consultation as legal advice

No Legal Advice Provided

☐ Any information shared during our meeting/consultation was general in nature and should not be construed as legal advice specific to your situation.

☐ We have not conducted research or analysis on your behalf.

☐ We have not formed a legal opinion about your matter.

Reason for Non-Engagement

☐ Conflict of Interest: Our firm has a conflict of interest that prevents us from representing you.

☐ Outside Our Practice Areas: The matter falls outside our areas of practice.

☐ Workload/Capacity: We do not have the capacity to take on new matters at this time.

☐ Geographic Limitations: The matter involves a jurisdiction where we are not licensed to practice.

☐ Complexity/Resources: The matter requires resources beyond what our firm can provide.

☐ Not a Good Fit: After consultation, we have determined that our firm is not the right fit for your needs.

☐ Other Reason: [________________________________]

☐ No Reason Specified: We are not obligated to provide a reason for declining representation.

Critical Action Required: Statute of Limitations

WARNING: Your legal claims may be subject to strict time deadlines.

☐ I believe your matter may be subject to a statute of limitations or other filing deadline.

☐ I am not in a position to determine what deadlines may apply to your situation.

YOU MUST CONSULT WITH ANOTHER ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY to determine what deadlines apply to your matter. If you fail to take action before the applicable deadline, you may permanently lose your right to pursue your claim.

Possible Deadline Information:
- Type of claim: [________________________________]
- Potential deadline: [________________________________]
- THIS INFORMATION MAY NOT BE COMPLETE OR ACCURATE - CONSULT ANOTHER ATTORNEY

Recommendations

Consult Another Attorney Immediately

I strongly encourage you to consult with another attorney as soon as possible. To find an attorney:

☐ State Bar Referral Service: [________________________________]
Phone: [____________________]
Website: [____________________]

☐ Local Bar Association: [________________________________]
Phone: [____________________]

☐ Legal Aid (if you qualify): [________________________________]
Phone: [____________________]

☐ Other Resources:
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]

Preserve Your Documents

Please keep all documents, records, and evidence related to your matter in a safe place. This information may be important to any attorney who represents you.

Do Not Rely on This Consultation

Do not rely on anything discussed in our consultation as legal advice. Seek independent legal counsel.

Return of Materials

☐ We are returning the following documents you provided:
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]

☐ We will destroy any copies in our possession.

☐ No documents were provided.

Confidentiality

Although no attorney-client relationship was formed, information you shared during our consultation will be treated as confidential to the extent required by applicable rules of professional conduct.

No Further Obligation

This letter confirms that our firm has no further obligation to you regarding this or any other matter. We will take no further action and will not contact you further unless you specifically engage our services in the future for a different matter.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this letter, you may contact:

[________________________________]
[Phone]
[Email]

However, please understand that any future communication does not create an attorney-client relationship.

We appreciate your having considered [Law Firm Name]. We wish you the best in resolving your legal matter.

Sincerely,

[________________________________]
[Attorney Name]
[Bar Number]
[Title]

Acknowledgment of Receipt (Optional)

I have received this Non-Engagement Letter and understand:

☐ [Law Firm Name] is NOT representing me
☐ No attorney-client relationship exists
☐ I must consult another attorney immediately regarding my legal rights and deadlines
☐ I cannot rely on any information from the consultation as legal advice

Signature: [________________________________]

Print Name: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

This letter is sent as a courtesy to clarify that no attorney-client relationship has been formed.

Sources and References

• ABA Model Rule 1.16: Declining or Terminating Representation
• ABA Model Rule 1.18: Duties to Prospective Client
• Clio: A Lawyer's Guide to Non-Engagement Letters
• Practice Panther: Crafting a Non-Engagement Letter