Statement of Client's Rights

This statement is provided in compliance with the rules of The Florida Bar. A contingent fee agreement is one in which the amount of the lawyer's fee depends on the outcome of your case.

1. 1You have the right to discuss the proposed rates and fees with your lawyer and you have the right to bargain about the fees before you sign the agreement. There is no legal requirement that a lawyer charge a client a set fee or a percentage of money recovered in a case. You, the client, have the right to bargain with an attorney about any of these matters.
2. 2If you do not understand about a contingent fee agreement or a proposed rate or fee, ask the lawyer to explain it. The agreement must be in writing, and you are entitled to a copy when you sign it. You may cancel the contract without any reason if you notify your lawyer in writing within 3 business days of signing the contract. If you withdraw from the contract within the first 3 business days, you do not owe the lawyer a fee, although you may be responsible for the lawyer's actual costs during that time.
3. 3Before hiring a lawyer, you, the client, have the right to know about the lawyer's education, training, and experience. If you ask, the lawyer should tell you specifically about the lawyer's actual experience dealing with cases similar to yours.
4. 4Before signing a contingent fee agreement with you, a lawyer must advise you whether the lawyer intends to handle your case alone or whether other lawyers will be helping with the case. If your lawyer intends to refer the case to other lawyers, the lawyer should tell you what kind of fee sharing arrangement will be made with the other lawyers.
5. 5If your lawyer intends to refer your case to another lawyer or counsel with other lawyers, your lawyer should tell you about that at the beginning. If your lawyer takes the case and later decides to refer it to another lawyer or to associate with other lawyers, you should sign a new contract that includes the new lawyers. You, the client, also have the right to consult with each lawyer working on your case and each lawyer is legally responsible to represent your interests and is legally responsible for the acts of the other lawyers involved in the case.
6. 6You, the client, have the right to know in advance how you will need to pay the expenses and the legal fees at the end of the case. If you pay a deposit in advance for costs, you may ask reasonable questions about how the money will be or has been spent and how much of it remains unspent.
7. 7Your lawyer should tell you whether there is a chance that you will have to pay the legal fees and costs of the other side in the case. The lawyer also should tell you if your case might be referred to another lawyer or law firm, or if the lawyer intends to assist another lawyer or law firm with your case.
8. 8You, the client, have the right to receive and approve a closing statement at the end of the case before you pay any money. The statement must list all of the financial details of the entire case, including the amount recovered, all expenses, and a precise statement of your lawyer's fee. Until you approve the closing statement, you need not pay any money to anyone, including your lawyer. You also have the right to have every lawyer or law firm working on your case sign this closing statement.
9. 9You, the client, have the right to ask your lawyer at reasonable intervals how the case is progressing and to have these questions answered to the best of your lawyer's ability.
10. 10You, the client, have the right to make the final decision regarding settlement of a case. Your lawyer must notify you of all offers of settlement before and after the trial. Offers during the trial must be immediately communicated and you should consult with your lawyer regarding whether to accept a settlement.
11. 11If you, the client, want to know in advance how you will need to pay the legal fees at the end of the case, you have the right to do so. You, the client, have the right to report any disputes regarding fees to The Florida Bar.

Any disputes regarding fees may be reported to The Florida Bar at 850-561-5600, or you may pursue the matter through other available legal channels.