Scope of Services
Define precisely what legal services the firm will provide. Be specific about what is included and what is explicitly excluded. Identify the attorneys assigned and their roles.
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Free Legal Template
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Use this template to engagement terms for [service type].
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Legal |
| Owner | [Team or owner] |
| Version | [Version number] |
| Effective Date | [Date] |
| Review Cycle | [Monthly / Quarterly / Annual / Event-based] |
| Status | [Draft / In Review / Approved] |
Define precisely what legal services the firm will provide. Be specific about what is included and what is explicitly excluded. Identify the attorneys assigned and their roles.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
Create a table showing the fee arrangement: hourly rates by attorney level, flat fees, contingency percentages, or hybrid arrangements as appropriate. Include rate escalation terms if applicable.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
Describe billing frequency, payment terms, minimum billing increments, trust/retainer deposit requirements, interest on overdue balances, and the client's right to question charges.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
List reimbursable expenses and the firm's policy on each: filing fees, expert witness costs, travel, copying, courier, electronic research, and court reporter fees. Distinguish between passed-through at cost vs..
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
Address both client-initiated and firm-initiated termination: notice requirements, grounds for withdrawal, handling of files upon termination, final billing, and return of unearned retainer. Use clear language. This is.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
Document review conclusions, approvals, unresolved items, and next review date.
| Role | Name | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparer | [Name] | [Date] | [Notes] |
| Reviewer | [Name] | [Date] | [Notes] |
| Approver | [Name] | [Date] | [Notes] |
Deploy this template when formalizing the attorney-client relationship before substantive legal work begins.
This template produces a binding contract defining services, compensation, and mutual obligations between firm and client.
Most disputes arise from vague scope definitions, unclear billing terms, or inadequate termination language.
Template Structure
Use this legal template as a starting point, then customize each section to match your internal workflow, evidence, and signoff needs.
Define precisely what legal services the firm will provide. Be specific about what is included and what is explicitly excluded. Identify the attorneys assigned and their roles.
Create a table showing the fee arrangement: hourly rates by attorney level, flat fees, contingency percentages, or hybrid arrangements as appropriate. Include rate escalation terms if applicable.
Describe billing frequency, payment terms, minimum billing increments, trust/retainer deposit requirements, interest on overdue balances, and the client's right to question charges.
List reimbursable expenses and the firm's policy on each: filing fees, expert witness costs, travel, copying, courier, electronic research, and court reporter fees. Distinguish between passed-through at cost vs..
Address both client-initiated and firm-initiated termination: notice requirements, grounds for withdrawal, handling of files upon termination, final billing, and return of unearned retainer. Use clear language. This is.
Write a Fee Agreement (also called an Engagement Letter or Retainer Agreement) for a law firm. Use a formal, contractual tone that is also clear and readable for a non-lawyer client. Structure with:
Define precisely what legal services the firm will provide. Be specific about what is included and what is explicitly excluded. Identify the attorneys assigned and their roles.
Create a table showing the fee arrangement: hourly rates by attorney level, flat fees, contingency percentages, or hybrid arrangements as appropriate. Include rate escalation terms if applicable.
Describe billing frequency, payment terms, minimum billing increments, trust/retainer deposit requirements, interest on overdue balances, and the client's right to question charges.
List reimbursable expenses and the firm's policy on each: filing fees, expert witness costs, travel, copying, courier, electronic research, and court reporter fees. Distinguish between passed-through at cost vs. marked-up expenses.
Address both client-initiated and firm-initiated termination: notice requirements, grounds for withdrawal, handling of files upon termination, final billing, and return of unearned retainer.
Use clear language. This is a client-facing document — avoid unnecessary jargon while maintaining legal precision.
Whitfield & Associates LLP 123 Commerce Street, Suite 800 | Austin, Texas 78701
Client: Meridian Technologies, Inc. Matter: Review and negotiation of enterprise software licensing agreements Date: February 14, 2026
Whitfield & Associates LLP ("Firm") will represent Meridian Technologies, Inc. ("Client") in connection with the review, drafting, and negotiation of enterprise software licensing agreements with third-party vendors. This engagement specifically includes:
Excluded from this engagement: Litigation, regulatory compliance review, tax advice, and any matters not described above. If additional services are needed, a separate engagement letter will be provided.
Assigned Attorneys: Sarah Chen (Partner), David Kim (Senior Associate), and paralegals as needed.
| Timekeeper | Role | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Chen | Partner — Supervision, strategy, complex negotiations | $650 |
| David Kim | Senior Associate — Primary drafting and review | $425 |
| Paralegal staff | Document management, research support | $195 |
Rates are effective through December 31, 2026. The Firm reserves the right to adjust rates annually with 30 days' written notice.
| Expense Type | Policy |
|---|---|
| Court and filing fees | Passed through at cost |
| Expert witness fees | Passed through at cost; prior client approval required for engagements over $5,000 |
| Travel | Coach airfare, standard hotel; pre-approved by Client for trips over $500 |
| Document copying | $0.15 per page (internal); outside vendor at cost |
| Electronic legal research | Passed through at cost (Westlaw, LexisNexis) |
| Courier and overnight delivery | Passed through at cost |
| Long-distance communication | No charge |
Expenses exceeding $1,000 in any single month will be itemized on the invoice. Client may request supporting documentation for any expense.
Client termination: Client may terminate this engagement at any time by written notice. The Firm will promptly cease work and provide a final invoice for services rendered and expenses incurred through the termination date. Any unused retainer will be refunded within 30 days.
Firm withdrawal: The Firm may withdraw from representation upon reasonable written notice if: (a) the Client fails to pay invoices after written demand and a 15-day cure period; (b) the Client requests the Firm to engage in conduct the Firm believes is unethical or unlawful; or (c) continued representation would create a conflict of interest.
File transfer: Upon termination, the Firm will provide Client's file (including all client-provided documents and work product) in electronic format within 14 business days. The Firm may retain copies for its records as permitted by applicable rules.
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Managing [case type] cases from intake to resolution
New client onboarding for [practice area]
COI screening for [matter type]
Retention schedule for [document types] at a law firm
Preservation notice for [matter]
Analysis of [legal issue] with research and conclusions
Template FAQ
Common questions about downloading and generating a fee agreement template.
Q: What is a fee agreement template?
A: A fee agreement template is a structured document for engagement terms for [service type].
Q: Is the fee agreement template really free?
A: Yes. The fee agreement template is completely free to download in Word (DOCX), PDF, and Markdown formats. No signup or credit card required to download.
Q: How do I turn a video into a fee Agreement Template?
A: Upload a process walkthrough, training recording, or screen capture to Docsie. The AI analyzes the video and generates a complete fee Agreement Template using this template's structure — every required field auto-filled from the footage.
Q: Can I edit the fee agreement template after downloading?
A: Yes. The DOCX format opens in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. The Markdown format imports into Notion, Confluence, Docsie, or any markdown editor. Customize fields, add your branding, and adapt to your internal workflow.