CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES
I, the undersigned person (“Client”), hereby retain, employ, and authorize the Murray Law Firm and Zimmerman Reed LLP (“Law Firms”) to represent me and provide the following legal services in connection with the fires that began in the Los Angeles area on approximately January 7, 2025: pursue a claim against any responsible party including utility companies for the damages sustained as a result of the fires (“Claim”). The Law Firms accept the employment and agree to take such steps as are reasonably advisable to enforce Client’s rights in connection with the Claim.
The Client agrees and understands that the Law Firms are only representing and providing legal services to the person or entity specifically named and are not expected to represent or provide legal services to any other person or entity. The Client also agrees and understands that the Law Firms are only representing and providing legal services related to the Claim and will not be responsible for any other matter. Specifically, the Law Firms will not provide legal services with respect to the collection of any insurance proceeds due under any available property or commercial insurance policy or pursue a claim against insurers and/or insurance brokers related to contested claims and/or disputed amounts. In addition, the Client agrees and understands that the Law Firms have made no promises or guarantees related to the filing of a lawsuit or the outcome of the Claim.
In consideration of the representation and legal services provided by the Law Firms, the Law Firms will be paid as follows:
The Client hereby assigns, transfers, and delivers an undivided thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) interest in any recovery to the Law Firms (50% to the Murray Law Firm and 50% to Zimmerman Reed LLP) as attorney’s fees.
The attorney’s fee calculation will be made based on gross recovery before the deduction of costs and expenses. Attorney’s fees are not set by law and negotiable between the Client and the Law Firms. If there is no recovery related to the Claim, then the Client is not responsible for attorney’s fees. In addition to the attorney’s fees described above, attorney’s fees and costs may also be paid by Defendant and/or any other responsible party as a result of state or federal fee shifting statutes, motion practice, sanctions, and/or other court orders. The Law Firms shall be entitled to receive such amounts.
The Client agrees and understands that costs and expenses connected with pursuing the Claim will be paid from their share of any recovery related to the Claim deducted after the attorney’s fees are calculated, but if there is no recovery, then the Client will not be responsible for any costs and expenses advanced by the Law Firms. Costs and expenses include costs and expenses for filings; depositions; expert witnesses; transcripts; witnesses; copies; photographic, electronic, or digital evidence production; document management; investigation; travel; medicals; computer research; telephone calls; postage; mileage; outside courier services; commercial mail services such as Federal Express or United Parcel Service; jury research; subpoenas; facsimiles; mediations; trial; and any other case costs and expenses related to the representation and legal services provided by the Law Firms. The Law Firms may represent numerous other persons with similar claims so costs and expenses include general costs as well as expenses incurred for the benefit of similarly situated clients and will be allocated among similarly situated clients.
The Law Firms are given a lien upon any recovery related to the Claim for attorney’s fees and costs and expenses. The Law Firms are authorized to deduct attorney’s fees and costs and expenses from any recovery related to the Claim and pay the balance to the Client pursuant to the terms of the Contract for Legal Services.
The Law Firms will seek to have attorney’s fees and costs paid by Defendant and/or any other party or third party responsible for the injuries that are the subject of this Contract for Legal Services. If the Client makes an agreement or comes to an arrangement that limits or removes the Law Firms’ ability to collect attorney’s fees from the other side pursuant to this Agreement or any state or federal fee-shifting statute, then the Client agrees to reimburse the Law Firms for unpaid costs and attorney’s fees.
The Client agrees and understands that the Law Firms may associate other attorneys for the purposes of representing and providing legal services related to the Claim and that the associated attorneys may share in attorney’s fees. The association of other attorneys will not increase the attorney’s fees paid by the Client because all attorneys will share in the interest assigned, transferred, and delivered to the Law Firms as attorney’s fees. The share of attorney’s fees that each attorney receives will be disclosed to the Client in writing prior to final distribution of any recovery related to the Claim.
The Client agrees and understands that there may be tax consequences associated with any recovery related to the Claim. The Law Firms do not undertake any responsibilities in regard to tax consequences associated with any recovery related to the Claim. The Client is wholly and exclusively responsible for tax consequences associated with any recovery related to the Claim as well as for compliance with applicable state and federal laws. The Law Firms recommend that the Client consult with a qualified tax preparer should there be any recovery related to the Claim.
The Law Firms are authorized by the Client to handle, manage, and prosecute the Claim as the Law Firms deem appropriate including filing a lawsuit on behalf of the Client. The Client authorizes the Law Firms to deliver in the Client’s name any notices, pleadings, authorizations, and any other documents necessary for the handling of the Claim. The Client agrees that the Claim may be made the subject of Alternate Dispute Resolution at the discretion of the Law Firms. The Client understands and agrees that referral of the Claim to Alternate Dispute Resolution includes a waiver of the right to jury trial and the right of appeal. Law Firms are authorized to execute documents on behalf of the Client to effectuate conclusion of the Claim. The Client expressly ratifies and confirms all lawful acts that the Law Firms may do or cause to be done in preparation and presentment of the Claim. The Client acknowledges and authorizes the Law Firms to provide information related to the Client to a third-party lender for the purposes of obtaining litigation financing.
It is further understood and agreed that neither the Client nor the Law Firms may settle, compromise, or discontinue the Claim without the written permission of the other party. The Client will not attempt to unilaterally settle the Claim and will rely on the Law Firms during any settlement negotiations. The Law Firms will not settle the Claim without the Client’s consent.
The Client agrees to cooperate fully with the Law Firms related to the Claim. The Client will promptly comply with requests and disclose relevant information as well as provide notice of any change in contact information (e.g., physical and mailing address, telephone number, email address, etc.) and physical condition. The Client understands that failure to cooperate may be a basis for termination of the Contract for Legal Services and withdrawal from representation.
In the event either party desires to terminate the Contract for Legal Services, the party desiring to terminate shall provide written notice to the other party expressing a desire to terminate. If the Contract for Legal Services is terminated at any time for any reason, then the Client agrees and understands that the interest assigned, transferred, and delivered to the Law Firms as attorney’s fees shall survive the termination and that the Law Firms are entitled to reimbursement of all costs and expenses advanced in connection with pursuing the Claim from any recovery related to the Claim.
Any dispute regarding the Contract for Legal Services shall be resolved by binding arbitration in compliance with California law.
The Client has been advised of their right to seek independent counsel of their choosing prior to executing the Contract for Legal Services and agrees that sufficient time has been given to do so.
After having read the Contract for Legal Services, the Client and the Law Firms understand and agree to the terms of the Contract for Legal Services on {dateLSA}.