S A N T O S

&

A S S O C I A T E S

17/F AB Towers | #23 Emerald St. | Fairview, QC 1121 936.71.46 | msantos@ymail.com | santiassoc.com.ph

ATTORNEY CLIENT RETAINER AGREEMENT I. PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT This Agreement is made effective as of April 1, 2011, by and between MS. MARIE A. SANTOS (Santos & Associates, 17/F AB Towers, #23 Emerald St., Fairview, Quezon City), herein Attorney; and MS. MARICAR G. JIMENEZ (Unit 8756 Condominium Towers, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City), hereinafter Client. II. PURPOSE Attorney is herewith retained to represent Client in Criminal Case No. 12345 and future matter involving the same. III. DURATION OF AGREEMENT Client authorizes Attorney to lawfully dispose of Clients file eight years from the date this Agreement is entered into.
IV.

ATTORNEYS DUTIES Attorney accepts said employment and agrees to take all reasonable steps in this

case and future case/s or appeal/s the Attorney considers worth doing, including preparation of legal documents, to enforce the Clients rights. No jury or trial shall be taken without the consent of both parties. The Attorney shall give way to the client in making decisions if it is right to do so.
V.

CLIENTS DUTIES Client agrees to the following: (a) to cooperate and be truthful with Attorney; (b)

to respond to phone calls and messages, including SMS, letters, and e-mails, on time; (c) to keep Attorney abreast of developments, current residence, and contact numbers; (d) to pay fees on time; and (e) to abide by this Agreement. The Client shall not insist the Attorney to pursue conduct that will violate The Code of Professional Responsibility to advance own interests. VI. NO GUARANTEE

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Attorney agrees to use his best efforts on the case but Client also recognizes that Attorney has made no guarantee of the success or outcome of this case.
VII.

FEES Client agrees to pay Attorney all legal fees due to him. This is guided by the

following:
a)

In doing legal services, the Attorney shall receive from Client a minimum, non-refundable retainer, and flat fee of Php 30,000 a month. Payment of said amount by Client to Attorney guarantees that the Attorney will set time aside for the Clients case. The said amount shall be deposited in the Attorneys general bank account on the last working day of every month. Attorney shall send the statement of account to client on the 15th day of every month. Client shall be notified by the Attorney upon receipt of payment made by the Client. Legal services rendered by the Attorney shall be charged at the rate of Php 1,000 per hour. Office hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. only. Any legal services performed beyond the abovementioned time or on weekends, or holidays, shall be charged at the rate of Php 800 per hour. In the event of dismissal of the Attorney by the Client, the Attorney is entitled to Php 50,000 separation fee.

b)

c)

d)

e) f) g) h)

VIII.

COSTS Client agrees to be responsible for any costs; wherein costs shall be advanced by

Client. In the event that costs are advanced by Attorney, the Client shall reimburse Attorney for these costs as soon as Client is billed for same. This includes but not limited to the following: (a) writing, reviewing and signing letters; (b) court filing fees; (c) photocopying fees; (d) messenger service fees; (e) long distance phone charges; and (f) other related or similar expenses. If needed, the Attorney may suggest the help of experts (investigators, accountants, medical professionals or doctors, etc.) and Client understands her responsibility to hire and pay for the experts. If in any case the Attorney pays for the experts, the amount paid may be reimbursed from the Client. IX. LIEN If the Client receives any cash or property through agreement, settlement or judgment, Client agrees to have this money deposited into Attorney's trust account. The

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Attorney is given authority by the Client to pay any balance out of this money before assigning the balance to Client. X. TERMINATION OF CONTRACT This Agreement shall be terminated if the there would be an impossibility of performance of whatever obligation this contract calls for. The same shall apply if one of the parties refuses to do his part for any unjustified reason.
XI.

ATTORNEYS WITHDRAWAL The Attorney shall withdraw his services only for good cause. This shall be

guided by Rule 22.01 of The Code of Professional Responsibility, stating the cases where a lawyer may withdraw his legal services. The Attorney shall immediately turn over all documents and property to which the client is entitled.
XII.

CLIENTS WITHDRAWAL Client may, with or without cause, end this agreement by writing to Attorney.

Attorney shall return the client's original file promptly after this agreement ends. Client is given the right to talk to another lawyer before signing this agreement. XIII. ARBITRATION Both Attorney and Client agree to resolve any fee disputes or if there would be alleged malpractice by Client to Attorney by binding arbitration in accordance with the rules on arbitration in the Philippines. XIV. MODIFICATIONS Any modification of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing, agreed and signed by both parties. XV. COMMENCEMENT OF SERVICES This Agreement will not take effect unless signed by both parties hereto and Attorney is not bound to commence services and appear in court until receipt by Attorney of all fees outlined in paragraph VI. (a) of this Agreement. If for any reason, Client wishes to terminate this agreement and/or retain the services of another counsel, Client is not relieved of the obligation to pay Attorneys fees and costs as mentioned above. XVI. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

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This written Agreement comprises the entire Agreement between Client and Attorney. No other Agreement made prior the effective date of this Agreement will be binding on the parties. Both parties acknowledge that they have read and understood the entire Agreement and agreed to be bound by the same. This Agreement is executed as of the date first written above.

By:

MarieSantos

Ms. Marie A. Santos Attorney at Law

By:

MGJimenez

Ms. Maricar G. Jimenez Client

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