Fee Agreements for Virginia Lawyers

This book is designed to provide the practitioner with a variety of possible fee arrangements that cover typical (and some non-typical) situations. Using this book will reduce the likelihood of fee disputes and malpractice claims and will assist the practitioner in creating fee agreements that are consistent with professional ethics requirements.

The many forms that are included are immediately useable by the busy lawyer or easily modifiable for a particular situation, and insightful commentary has been added to many of the subject areas.

You may also be interested in:

Virginia Law and Practice: A Handbook for Attorneys

The Virginia Lawyer: A Deskbook for Practitioners

A Guide to Legal Research in Virginia

Attorney Fees and Sanctions - Virginia and Federal Courts

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

LAWYERS AND OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY
      Fees
      In General
      Contingent Fees
      Percentage Fees
      Hourly Rates
      Hybrid and Other Fees
      Fee Agreements
      Division of Fees
      Collection and Termination of Employment

RETAINER AGREEMENTS

      AVAILABILITY RETAINER

ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENTS
      1. Hourly Rates
      2. "Blended" Hourly Rate
      3. Discounted Hourly Rates
      4. Fixed Fee Arrangement
      5. Maximum Fee or Fee "Cap" Agreement
      6. Contingent Fee Arrangement
      7. Modified Contingent Fee Arrangement or "Bonus" Arrange- ment
      8. In-Kind Fee Arrangement
      9. Project Billing

      FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Commentary)

      REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT (Informal)

      ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT IN SHORT LETTER FORMAT

      ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT IN LONG LETTER FORMAT

      COVER LETTER WITH ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT ENCLOSED

      REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT (Formal)

DECLINING AND ENDING REPRESENTATION

      NONENGAGEMENT LETTER

      TERMINATION LETTER (Commentary)

      TERMINATION LETTER

      CLOSING LETTER (Commentary)

      CLOSING LETTER

ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENTS BY PRACTICE AREA

      BANKRUPTCY--INDIVIDUAL CLIENT--CHAPTER 7 FILING

      BANKRUPTCY--INDIVIDUAL CLIENT--CHAPTER 13 FILING

      BANKRUPTCY--CREDITOR GROUP CLIENT--SHORT FORM

      BANKRUPTCY--CREDITOR GROUP CLIENT--LONG FORM

      BANKRUPTCY--DEBTOR BUSINESS CLIENT--SHORT FORM

      BANKRUPTCY--DEBTOR BUSINESS CLIENT--LONG FORM

      BANKRUPTCY--LOCAL COUNSEL FOR ASSET PURCHASE--SHORT FORM

      BANKRUPTCY--LOCAL COUNSEL FOR ASSET PURCHASE--LONG FORM

      BUSINESS REPRESENTATION--SHORT FORM

      BUSINESS REPRESENTATION--LONG FORM

      CIVIL LITIGATION--SHORT FORM

      CIVIL LITIGATION--LONG FORM

      COLLECTION AGREEMENTS (Commentary)

      COLLECTION--SHORT FORM

      COLLECTION--LONG FORM

      CONDEMNATION--SHORT FORM

      CONDEMNATION--LONG FORM

      CRIMINAL DEFENSE

      EMPLOYMENT CASES--PLAINTIFF'S AGREEMENTS (Commentary)

      EMPLOYMENT CASE--CONSULTATION AGREEMENT

      EMPLOYMENT CASE--PLAINTIFF--SHORT FORM

      EMPLOYMENT CASE--PLAINTIFF--LONG FORM

      EMPLOYMENT CASE--STATUTORY FEES OR HYBRID FEE/CAP ARRANGEMENT

      EMPLOYMENT CASE--STATUTORY FEES PLUS BONUS

      ENTERTAINMENT REPRESENTATION AGREEMENTS (Commentary)

      ENTERTAINMENT REPRESENTATION--SHORT FORM

      ENTERTAINMENT REPRESENTATION--LONG FORM

      ENTERTAINMENT REPRESENTATION--ALTERNATIVE FORM

      ENTERTAINMENT REPRESENTATION--PERCENTAGE AGREEMENT

      ENVIRONMENTAL MATTER--SHORT FORM

      ENVIRONMENTAL MATTER--LONG FORM

      ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT RETENTION LETTER

      ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

      ESTATE PLANNING--SHORT FORM

      ESTATE PLANNING--LONG FORM

      FAMILY LAW MATTER--SHORT FORM

      FAMILY LAW MATTER--LONG FORM

      FORECLOSURE --SHORT FORM

      FORECLOSURE--LONG FORM

      INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

      MERGER

      PERSONAL INJURY--PLAINTIFF--SHORT FORM

      PERSONAL INJURY--PLAINTIFF--LONG FORM

      REAL ESTATE--PURCHASER OR MULTI-PARTY REPRESENTATION

      REAL ESTATE--MULTI-PARTY REPRESENTATION-- SELLER'S COUNSEL (IN OTHER MATTERS)

      REAL ESTATE--SELLER LETTER--PURCHASER REPRESENTATION

      REAL ESTATE--LETTER TO BUSINESS ENTITY SELLER--MULTI-PARTY REPRESENTATION

      TAX MATTERS--SHORT FORM

      TAX MATTERS--LONG FORM

      WORKERS' COMPENSATION--CLAIMANT--SHORT FORM

      WORKERS' COMPENSATION--CLAIMANT--LONG FORM

      WORKERS' COMPENSATION--INVESTIGATION

Editor

Jeannie P. Dahnk

Authors

Neil V. Birkhoff

Dana D. McDanielDavid Cox

Lawrence J. PascalJames P. Cox, III

Susan M. PesnerWyatt B. Durrette, Jr.

Hon. Robert A. PustilnikZachary A. Kitts

Frank W. Rogers, IIIRodney G. Leffler

Kirk T. SchroderEdward B. Lowry

M. Bryan SlaughterChanning J. Martin

Paul B. Terpak