Dear Client,
Thank you for hiring Generational Law Group, APC, for your legal needs. You’ve probably learned by now that we are not your typical law firm, and we are happy about that. We aim to work hard, provide excellent results, and maintain open communication with our clients. If you have questions at any time during your representation, please don’t hesitate to ask.
In addition to our hourly fee services, we offer flat fees and project-based services. This keeps costs down for you, our client, while avoiding hidden or surprise fees. If and when a service is needed that is billed hourly, you will know the exact hourly rate and receive an estimate of how many hours total the work may require.
Upon acceptance of the terms below, this letter serves as your agreement to be represented by our firm.
Thank you for choosing Generational Law Group (“GLG”). We are not your typical law firm, and that’s because we do not view you as just another client, but as a new addition to our family.
We are happy to serve as your outside general counsel. Every potential and current client receives a quote that communicates the scope of legal services that will be provided under this representation (in conjunction with paragraph 3 this Agreement). After a client chooses and communicates to move forward with us for representation, our firm will begin working on your matter only after the following conditions are satisfied by the client:
You have specifically asked our firm to represent your company/organization, in the matter outlined in your quote for recommended projects and/or general representation.
Our office will take reasonable steps to keep you informed of your matter’s progress and respond reasonably promptly to your inquiries. This representation is limited to transactional legal matters and does not include representing you in any litigation matters, other purposes, or other proceedings. A separate retainer agreement and deposit may be required for representation in any litigation matters or other proceedings.
For matters outside of our expertise, such as personal injury, worker’s compensation, environmental, tax, immigration, patent and intellectual property, etc., we will make every reasonable effort to refer you to experienced and competent outside counsel.
You agree to be completely truthful with us, to cooperate with us, to keep us fully informed of developments, to abide by this Agreement, and to promptly pay our bills for services and costs as set forth below.
Please note that for an effective attorney-client relationship, the organization and its representatives must be truthful in all discussions with us, especially when they think the information is hurtful to the organization’s matter. Failure to do so will be deemed a material breach of this agreement and cause for termination of the representation subject to applicable laws. We need to have all the information in a timely manner. We cannot represent a client effectively if we are missing part of the picture.
Nothing in this Agreement or our statements may be construed as a promise or guarantee about the outcome of your matter. We make no promises or guarantees of any particular outcome or result in your matter, and any comments made by us about the potential outcome of this matter are expressions of opinion only. If a particular outcome or result is not obtained, this does not relieve you of the obligation to pay in full for the services we render and the costs we incur on your behalf.
Our available business hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday we are closed. Attorney reserves the right to provide off-hour appointments. We are closed on major holidays. We will notify you of other closings (vacation, etc.); that notice may be through an autoresponder message sent in response to an email you send.
You agree to the electronic delivery of files, documents correspondence, due dates, and all updates on your matter via email or cloud-based methods determined by Attorney. You are responsible for downloading all materials when sent. If you hire new counsel, you agree that we may email your file to your new Attorney.
Email is the best way to contact Generational Law Group.
Please send your message to support@generationallawgroup.com. Generally, we check and respond to emails three times daily, once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening. This allows me uninterrupted time to work on your matter and other clients’ matters.
Emails and portal messages will be reviewed and addressed within a reasonable timeframe based on the circumstances. Emails, messages, and voicemails received outside of business hours or non-holidays will be addressed during regular business hours.
Phone Calls
We do not accept unscheduled phone calls. This differs from most firms, who will be happy to let you call whenever you like, then send you a bill for the unscheduled time per call. We are often in meetings, in court, busy working on your matter, working on other matters, or on the phone, and as a result, there will be times when you will be unable to reach me.
To honor everyone’s busy schedules, any phone call will be scheduled for an attorney meeting; you will receive a link to enable you to schedule a phone call on our calendar. Appointments can be conducted via telephone, the web, or in person, based on the circumstances of the conversation and our mutual needs. As a client of this firm, making an appointment saves you time, avoids playing “phone tag,” gets your prompt attention, and allows me to better serve you by preparing for the phone call. Phone calls can be scheduled by visiting our website at www.generationallawgroup.com and using the Appointment link to schedule time with us as appropriate.
We find that we are most productive when we can work on our matters without constant interruptions. We do not accept calls from opposing counsel, judges, or anybody. The voicemail takes a message and sends it to us, and we call back when we are ready and have time to prepare for the call, which might involve looking at a matter, research, and/or calendar to have a ready answer.
Unscheduled phone calls will be billed at the designated Attorney’s hourly rate per paragraph 4 of this agreement. Scheduled phone calls are included in your agreement for the services rendered. We will call you if we believe a call is needed, but most questions can and should be answered in writing. This policy allows us to provide quality legal services at fair fees where appropriate.
Lawyers are under specific ethical and legal obligations when dealing with corporate clients. If you have asked us to represent only your company (named below) for services in connection with this matter, please be advised that your company is the firm’s client and as such our professional obligations run to the corporate entity and not individual corporate personnel. Please be further advised that no automatic attorney-client relationship exists between the firm and its officers, directors, shareholders, etc. (Meehan v. Hopps(1956) 144 Cal. App. 2d 284, 290).However in the future, in the event our office is retained to concurrently represent both the business entity and its individual officers, directors, shareholders, etc., this may give rise to certain conflicts of interest in that the interests and objectives of each client individually on certain issues related to the case are, or may become, inconsistent with the interests and objectives of the other. In the event a conflict arises or there is a reasonable likelihood an actual conflict will arise; we may be precluded from representing either or both of you and as such may be required to withdraw. If an actual or potential conflict arises, we will immediately notify you to discuss further steps and options. There are additional consequences resulting from joint representation. In cases of joint representation, we must inform each client of significant developments relating to the joint representation and may not withhold information one provides from the other. Moreover, under California Evidence Code § 962 and California case law, in cases of joint representation there is no attorney-client privilege between or among the individual and corporation’s joint clients so that you may not claim your communications with us are privileged or confidential as to the other client. In the event your common objectives change, we will not be able to advocate one client’s objectives to the detriment of the other. In the event you wish to proceed with joint representation in this and any future matters, you will have the right to seek the advice of independent counsel of your choice in making that decision and at any time during joint representation of both entity and individual. Accordingly, we request that you sign below acknowledging that you have been advised that potential conflicts associated with your respective interests may arise in the future. We stress that both entity and individual remain completely free to seek other counsel at any time. The below signed attorney has explained that this action(and future matters related to your Company)may in the future give rise to potential conflicting interests on the part of the entity and individual and has informed me of the possible consequences of these conflicts. I also understand that I have the right to and have been encouraged to consult independent counsel in the event such conflict arises.
(a) Attorney may incur various costs and expenses in performing legal services under this Agreement. Client agrees to pay for all costs, disbursements, and expenses in addition to your representation. The costs and expenses commonly include notary fees, long-distance telephone charges, messenger and other delivery fees, postage, outside photocopying and other reproduction costs, travel costs including parking, mileage, transportation, meals and hotel costs, investigation expenses, translator/interpreter fees, consultants’ fees and/or special master fees and other similar items. The foregoing external costs and expenses will be charged at Attorney’s cost. Internal charges are billed at the following rates: (1) mileage – IRS Standard Mileage Rate; (2) in-house printing and photocopying – one dollar and twenty-five cents per page; (3) facsimile charges; (4) postage at costs; and (5) computerized legal research at cost. (b) Out-of-town travel. Client agrees to pay transportation, meals, lodging, and all other costs of any necessary out-of-town travel by Attorney and Attorney’s personnel. (c) Experts, Consultants, and Investigators. To aid in preparing or presenting Client’s matter, hiring expert witnesses, consultants, or investigators may become necessary. Client agrees to pay such fees and charges. Attorney will select any expert witnesses, consultants or investigators to be hired, and Client will be informed of persons chosen and their charges. (d) Attorney will obtain Client’s consent before incurring any costs in excess of one hundred dollars ($250).
Every attorney and law firm has a duty of confidentiality to their potential and current clients, meaning that all matters we discuss with you are held in confidence. Potential and existing clients must also maintain and protect this confidentiality. Confidentiality protection may be waived if you disclose confidential information to people outside your legal team. Please talk with us if you have questions about this.
Sometimes we represent people, and sometimes we represent businesses. If a business is the client but does not pay for services, and you are affiliated with the business – as the owner, investor, or simply the initiator of services with our firm – you are personally responsible to pay any fees owed by the business.
Payments may be made in a variety of ways: via our website, debit or credit card, e-check, paper check, Zelle, CashApp, Apple Pay, or money order.
The preferred method of payment is by debit or credit card, via connection to our database and invoice system. You can do this online from any computer or smartphone. Your payments will be applied directly to your invoice and updated in your internal client account, and the firm will get an email alert informing us that the payment was made. Debit and credit card payments incur an additional 3% processing fee. For example, if the total is $500, and payment is by credit card, then the total with the credit card fee will be $515. (That is, $500 times 3% equals $15; this amount for processing is added to the original $500, making the grand total $515.)
There is an e-check option through the online client database. There is NO FEE associated with e-check processing.
Checks or money orders may be used to pay invoices. You may deliver it in person or mail it to our office:
Generational Law Group
301 N. Lake Ave., STE 600
Pasadena, CA 91101.
In order to effectively represent you, we need your cooperation and assistance. You agree to fully cooperate with us and to promptly provide all information known or available to you that is relevant to your representation.
For example, please notify us of any business changes that may affect your current or ongoing legal projects. Additionally, please be sure to notify us if your contact information changes.
We ask you to promptly reply to your attorney and to the firm team so we can keep your project moving forward. This includes responding to project quote emails, providing any requested information or input that is needed to move your project forward, and scheduling a real-time editing session with your attorney in a timely fashion.
Documents created by the firm such as contracts include a 60-minute real-time editing session within 30 days of receiving the drafted document. Any work completed outside this timeline and outside the scope of the project quote may be billed at our current hourly rate.
Our goal is to be a paperless office, and we maintain electronic client files, notes, calendar items, project documents, and database information. We can create a paper copy of your file upon request, but we do not maintain paper files for our clients. If you need your client file delivered to you, we will provide it to you in electronic form. If you require a paper file, you may incur printing and mailing costs. If any balances are due when records are requested, we reserve the right to place an attorney lien on your file until the balance is paid in full.
As licensed attorneys, we have a duty to retain client files and records. While we do our best to retain all items, there are times when items may be difficult or impossible to find in our digital world. We also may have one version of a document that was drafted and not a subsequently updated version. As a result, regardless of our record keeping practices, we encourage all clients to retain their own copies of all essential and important documents.
Either party may terminate the representation at any time, subject to our obligations under the Rules of Professional Conduct. Unless previously terminated, our representation will terminate upon completion of the legal services subject to this agreement.
You understand that we have no continuing obligation to represent you after this project is complete, and no obligation to provide additional legal services. Each project has a beginning and completion. If the scope or duration of the project changes, or a new project is initiated, the firm will open a new project, create a new invoice, and require payment.
You understand that contracts drafted by our firm are intended to be cohesive and legally enforceable. We encourage clients to use their contracts as business templates and update terms like client names, numbers, and project scope attachments. However, we do NOT encourage “DIY legal editing” in the form of deletions, revisions, or add-ons. If you change the material provisions of the contract, we are not responsible for any damages that may occur based on these edits.
Requests for refunds will be considered if fewer than 30 days has passed since payment was made AND if the project is not substantially complete. A partial refund may be issued at the firm’s sole discretion, and any refund will be proportionate to the amount of work completed on the project.
In determining whether a refund request will be granted, some of the factors we will consider are the amount of time lapsed, reasons for delay, preparation that has gone into working on the project, and the amount of work completed.
No refunds will be issued if a client changes their mind or decides not to use their completed project (ie. new business filing, contract review, contract drafting).
No refunds will be issued when a client fails to respond to an optional component of their project (ie. a contract is delivered to a client and the client does not respond or schedule an editing session within 30 days but requests a refund).
If you are a California client with a project totaling $1000 or more, you have the right to request a refund of any amount of the fee that has not been earned in the event the representation is terminated or the services for which the flat fee has been paid are not completed.
We cannot guarantee any outcomes that the projects we have completed will have on your business or life. Similarly, we cannot and will not issue any refunds related to: 1. the actions or lack of actions of opposing parties; 2. whether or not a contract reviewed or drafted gets signed, executed, or followed; 3. whether a drafted legal demand letter leads to the party receiving it to comply with the demands; 4. Whether a settlement agreement leads to the parties following it; 5. And/or any other potential outcomes.
If your application or filing is rejected by the government, we cannot offer a refund. For example, no refund will be issued if the Secretary of State does not approve a business filing, or if a Trademark application is not registered by the Patent and Trademark Office, or if a nonprofit federal exemption application is denied by the IRS.
No advice is given regarding tax consequences, and this firm specifically is not providing tax advice, although questions relating to tax matters may arise during the course of your project. You agree to seek tax advice elsewhere, and to hold this firm harmless from any tax effects.
We are not acting as your counsel with respect to these Terms of Representation. If you wish to be advised on whether you should agree to these Terms, we recommend you consult with independent counsel of your choice.
If any provision of this Agreement is held in whole or in part to be unenforceable for any reason, the remainder of that provision and of the entire Agreement will be severable and remain in effect.
As part of our Terms of Representation, this section addresses the possibility of a conflict of interest and seeks your informed consent to waive any such conflicts, should they arise.
Acknowledgment of Potential Conflicts:
You acknowledge that GLG represents multiple clients in various legal matters. There may be instances where our representation of one client’s interests directly conflicts with the interests of another client.
Informed Consent:
By signing this agreement, you provide your informed consent to GLG’s representation of another client in a matter that is directly adverse to your interests, provided that:
We believe we can provide competent and diligent representation to each affected client;
The representation does not involve the assertion of a claim by one client against another client represented by GLG in the same litigation or other proceeding before a tribunal; and
Each affected client gives informed consent, confirmed in writing.
Confidentiality and Independence:
We assure you that in the event of a potential conflict of interest, your confidential information will remain protected and will not be disclosed to any other client. Our representation of any client is independent, and our professional judgment will not be influenced by the interests of another client.
Right to Seek Independent Legal Advice:
You have the right to seek independent legal advice regarding this conflict-of-interest waiver. By signing this waiver, you acknowledge that you have had sufficient time to seek such advice and that you consent to the terms herein voluntarily.
Revocation of Consent:
Your consent to this waiver may be revoked at any time. However, revocation will not affect any action taken by us prior to receiving notice of revocation.
Please initial below to acknowledge your understanding and agreement to these terms.
If a dispute arises between you and GLG regarding fees, the parties agree to resolve the dispute through the California State Bar’s Fee Dispute Program. This is required because we are headquartered in Pasadena, California.
Your Protection Is Our Plan
The information posted to this site does not constitute legal advice or the formation of an Attorney-Client relationship.
