LAWYER ENGAGEMENT LETTER

Lawyer Engagement Letter

An engagement letter from Northwind Studio to Acme Co confirming the scope of legal representation, fee arrangement, and terms of the attorney-client relationship.

PREPARED FOR

Acme Co

PREPARED BY

Northwind Studio

DATE

August 18, 2026

Northwind Studio

LAWYER ENGAGEMENT LETTER

Client and Matter

This engagement letter confirms that Northwind Studio (the "Firm") has been retained by Acme Co (the "Client") to provide legal services on the matter described below. The attorney-client relationship is limited to this matter; representation on any other matter requires a separate engagement letter.

MATTER

Full scope defined in Section 2 below.

RESPONSIBLE ATTORNEY

Named lead responsible for the engagement.

ARRANGEMENT

Hourly

Standard hourly rates with a starting retainer.

Recitals

Northwind Studio

LAWYER ENGAGEMENT LETTER

Scope of Representation

Representation on this matter runs across three phases. Each closes with a written status update to the Client.

PHASE 1 · FACT GATHERING AND STRATEGY

Fact gathering and strategy

Client interviews, document review, applicable legal research, and a written strategy memo outlining the options, risks, and recommended path forward with a cost and timeline estimate.

PHASE 2 · EXECUTION

Execution

Drafting, negotiation, filings, and correspondence required to advance the matter per the agreed strategy. Major decision points are surfaced to the Client for direction before action is taken.

PHASE 3 · RESOLUTION AND CLOSE

Resolution and file closure

Final documentation, close-out letter summarizing the outcome and any ongoing obligations, and delivery of the client file per the Firm's file-retention policy.

What is included

Provide complete and accurate information relevant to the matter
Respond to Firm requests for documents and instructions on a timely basis
Pay invoices per the terms in Section 4
Notify the Firm of any change in circumstances that could affect the matter
Consult the Firm before acting on any related legal question

Northwind Studio

LAWYER ENGAGEMENT LETTER

Fees, Costs and Billing

Fees are billed hourly at the standard rates below. A refundable retainer is held in the Firm's trust account and applied against invoices as they are issued.

Item	Rate	Qty	Amount
Partner	$650	1	$650
Senior associate	$475	1	$475
Associate	$350	1	$350
Paralegal	$185	1	$185
Total			$1,660

Payment Schedule

Item	Timing	Amount
Initial retainer	On countersignature	$10,000
Monthly invoices	1st of each month	Time plus disbursements
Retainer replenishment	If balance falls below $2,500	Top-up to $10,000

Invoices are due within 30 days. Disbursements including filing fees, expert witness fees, and third-party charges are billed at cost. Either party may terminate with written notice; the Firm will refund any unearned retainer balance.

Northwind Studio

LAWYER ENGAGEMENT LETTER

Acceptance

To engage the Firm on this matter, complete the fields below and sign. Please also wire the initial retainer per the payment instructions provided separately.

MATTER DESCRIPTION

Short description of the matter

CLIENT PRIMARY CONTACT

Name, title, and email

I confirm I am authorized to engage the Firm on behalf of the Client.

CLIENT

Sign here

Acme Co

FIRM

Sign here

Northwind Studio

About this template

The Lawyer Engagement Letter Template is a five-page document for putting your engagement on paper before it starts. It carries a cover, an overview with stat cards, a three-phase scope of work, an investment table with a computed total, and an acceptance page with inputs and signatures.

It is intentionally simple: rename what needs renaming in Bonsai, list your actual deliverables, and set the price. Merge fields handle the client details and date, and the last page collects the acceptance inputs and both signatures.

Details

Format: Doc · 5 pages

Recipients: Client + Provider

Signature: Client + Provider

Merge fields: Sender, Receiver, Date