LAW FIRM

ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER

(Date)

ATTORNEY-CLIENT AGREEMENT

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

This legal services agreement, made and entered into this ____ day of [Month], [Year] in
__________, Philippines, by and between:
[Client]
- AND –
[Attorney]
Attorney and Client hereby agree that Attorney will provide legal services to Client on the terms
set forth below.
1. CONDITIONS
This Agreement will not take effect, and Attorney will have no obligation to provide legal
services, until: (a) Client returns a signed copy of this Agreement; (b) Client pays the initial
deposit called for under Paragraph 4; and (c) Attorney acknowledges acceptance of
representation by counter-signing this Agreement and returning a fully executed copy to Client.
Upon satisfaction of these conditions, this Agreement will be deemed to take effect as of
[DATE].
2. SCOPE OF SERVICES AND ATTORNEY’S DUTIES
Client hires Attorney to provide legal services in the following matter: [PROVIDE DETAILED
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED]. Attorney will provide those legal services
reasonably required to represent Client. Attorney will take reasonable steps to keep Client
informed of progress and to respond to Client’s inquiries. If a court action is filed, Attorney will
represent Client through trial and post-trial motions. This Agreement does not cover
representation on appeal or in collection proceedings after judgment or proceedings regarding
renewal of a judgment. A separate written agreement for these services or services in any other
matter not described above will be required. Attorney is representing Client only in the matter
described above.
3. CLIENT’S DUTIES
Client agrees to be truthful with Attorney and not withhold information. Further Client agrees to
cooperate, to keep Attorney informed of any information or developments which may come to
Client’s attention, to abide by this Agreement, to pay Attorney’s bills on time, and to keep
Attorney advised of Client’s address, telephone number and whereabouts. Client will assist
Attorney by timely providing necessary information and documents. Client agrees to appear at
all legal proceedings when Attorney deems it necessary, and generally cooperate fully with
Attorney in all matters related to the preparation and presentation of Client’s claims.
4. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Before accepting an assignment, the Attorney always conducts an internal conflict-of-interest
check to verify that the Attorney can accept the assignment. Notwithstanding such checks,
circumstances may arise that prevent the Attorney from acting for the Client in an existing
ongoing or future matter. In these situations, the rules of professional conduct regulating
conflicts of interest apply, and the Attorney may terminate the Agreement. The relations
between the Attorney and the Client do not create mutual exclusivity. The Client may use the
services of other lawyers for the purpose of fulfilment of any assignment. In addition, the
Attorney retains the rights to render legal assistance to other persons and execute assignments
not connected to the Client’s assignment, including providing of services to persons operating in
the same field as the Client or who might potentially have interests opposite of the ones of the
Client.
5. ACCEPTANCE FEE
Client agrees to pay Attorney an acceptance fee of P30,000 upon the acceptance of this
contract. The acceptance fee is non-refundable once the first set of legal documents required
have been filed in court. If court filings have not yet been made, up to 40% of this fee may be
refunded to client depending on level of preparation the Attorney has completed.
6. LEGAL FEES AND BILLING PRACTICES
Client agrees to pay Attorney’s rates as set forth below for all time spent on Client’s matter by
Attorney and Attorney’s legal personnel:
P5,000 for each succeeding pleading
P5,000 for each appearance in court
P3,000 for each meeting with client
The rates on this schedule are subject to change on 30 days written notice to Client. If Client
declines to pay increased rates, Attorney will have the right to withdraw as attorney for Client.
6. COSTS AND OTHER CHARGES
Attorney will incur various costs and expenses in performing legal services under this
Agreement. Client agrees to pay for all costs, disbursements and expenses in addition to the
fees described above. The costs and expenses commonly include, service of process charges,
filing fees, court and deposition reporters’ fees, translator/interpreter fees, jury fees, notary fees,
deposition costs, long distance telephone charges, messenger and other delivery fees, postage,
outside photocopying and other reproduction costs, travel costs including parking, mileage,
transportation, meals and hotel costs, investigation expenses, consultants’ fees, expert witness,
professional, mediator, arbitrator and/or special master fees and other similar items.
To aid in the preparation or presentation of Client’s case, it may become necessary to hire
expert witnesses, consultants or investigators. Client agrees to pay such fees and charges.
Attorney will select any expert witnesses, consultants or investigators to be hired, and Client will
be informed of persons chosen and their charges.
Attorney will obtain Client’s consent before incurring any costs in excess of P5,000.
7. OTHER FEES AND COSTS
Client understands that if Client’s case proceeds to court action or arbitration, the court may
award attorney fees as well as some or all of the type of costs enumerated in the above
paragraph to the other party or parties. Payment of such attorney fees and costs shall be the
sole responsibility of Client. Similarly, other parties may be required to pay some or all of the
fees and costs incurred by the Client. Client acknowledges that any such determination does
not in and of itself affect the amount of the fees and costs to be paid by Client to Attorney
pursuant to this agreement.
8. BILLS
Attorney will send Client periodic bills for fees and costs incurred. Each bill will be payable within
____ [PROVIDE NUMBER] days of its mailing date. Client may request a bill at intervals of no
less than 30 days. If Client so requests, Attorney will provide one within 10 days. Bills for the fee
portion of the bill will include the amount, rate, basis for calculation, or other method of
determination of the Attorney’s fees. Bills for the cost and expense portion of the bill will clearly
identify the costs and expenses incurred and the amount of the costs and expenses. Client
agrees to promptly review all bills rendered by Attorney and to promptly communicate any
objections, questions, or concerns about their contents.
9. HANDLING OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS
The Client will take custody of all original documents and evidences related to the case, and the
Attorney will only accept copies of these documents. The Client will personally present these
documents and evidences to the court, if it so requires.
10. CLIENT APPROVAL NECESSARY FOR SETTLEMENT
Attorney will not make any settlement or compromise of any nature of any of Client’s claims
without Client’s prior approval. Client retains the absolute right to accept or reject any
settlement.
11. DISCHARGE AND WITHDRAWAL
Under Section 26, Rule 138 of the Rules of Court, client may at any time dismiss his attorney or
substitute another in his place, but if the contract between client and attorney has been reduced
to writing and the dismissal of the attorney was without justifiable cause, he shall be entitled to
recover from the client the full compensation stipulated in the contract. However, the attorney
may, in the discretion of the court, intervene in the case to protect his rights. For the payment of
his compensation the attorney shall have a lien upon all judgments for the payment of money,
and executions issued in pursuance of such judgment, rendered in the case wherein his
services had been retained by the client. Notwithstanding the discharge, Client will remain
obligated to pay Attorney at the agreed rates for all services provided and to reimburse Attorney
for all costs advanced before the discharge.
An attorney may retire at any time from any action or special proceeding, by the written consent
of his client filed in court. He may also retire at any time from an action or special proceeding,
without the consent of his client, should the court, on notice to the client and attorney, and on
hearing, determine that he ought to be allowed to retire. In case of substitution, the name of the
attorney newly employed shall be entered on the docket of the court in place of the former one,
and written notice of the change shall be given to the advance party.
12. CONCLUSION OF SERVICES
When Attorney’s services conclude, whether by completing the services covered by this
Agreement, or by discharge or withdrawal, all unpaid charges for fees or costs will be due and
payable immediately. Client may have access to Client’s case file at Attorney’s office at any
reasonable time. At the end of the engagement, Client may request the return of Client’s case
file. If Client has not requested the return of Client’s file, and to the extent Attorney has not
otherwise delivered it or disposed of it consistent with Client’s directions, Attorney will retain the
case file for a period of ________, [PROVIDE LENGTH OF TIME] after which Attorney is
authorized by this agreement to have the case file destroyed. If Client would like Attorney to
maintain Client’s case file for more than ___________ [PROVIDE LENGTH OF TIME] after the
conclusion of Attorney’s services for Client on a given matter, a separate written agreement
must be made between Attorney and Client, which may provide for Client to bear the cost of
maintaining the file. In the event Client requests that Attorney transfer possession of Client’s
case file to Client or a third party, Attorney is authorized to retain copies of the case file at
Attorney’s expense.
13. DISCLAIMER OF GUARANTEE AND ESTIMATES
Nothing in this Agreement and nothing in Attorney’s statements to Client will be construed as a
promise or guarantee about the outcome of the matter. Attorney makes no such promises or
guarantees. Attorney’s comments about the outcome of the matter are expressions of opinion
only, are neither promises nor guarantees, and will not be construed as promises or guarantees.
Any deposits made by Client, or estimate of fees given by Attorney, are not a representation of
a flat fee and will not be a limitation on fees or a guarantee that fees and costs will not exceed
the amount of the deposit or estimate. Actual fees may vary significantly from estimates given.
14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties. No other agreement, statement, or
promise made on or before the effective date of this Agreement will be binding on the parties.
15. SEVERABILITY IN EVENT OF PARTIAL INVALIDITY
If any provision of this Agreement is held in whole or in part to be unenforceable for any reason,
the remainder of that provision and of the entire Agreement will be severable and remain in
effect.
16. MODIFICATION BY SUBSEQUENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be modified by subsequent agreement of the parties only by an instrument
in writing signed by both of them.
17. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Agreement will govern all legal services performed by Attorney on behalf of Client
commencing with the date Attorney first performed services. The date at the beginning of this
Agreement is for reference only. Even if this Agreement does not take effect, Client will be
obligated to pay Attorney the reasonable value of any services Attorney may have performed for
Client.
THE PARTIES HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE FOREGOING TERMS AND AGREE
TO THEM AS OF THE DATE ATTORNEY FIRST PROVIDED SERVICES. IF MORE THAN
ONE CLIENT SIGNS BELOW, EACH AGREES TO BE LIABLE, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY,
FOR ALL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. CLIENT WILL RECEIVE A FULLY
EXECUTED COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this instrument this _____________ at
_____________, Philippines.

Client and Attorney

SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF

_________________ _________________