chevron-down Created with Sketch Beta.

Introduction to Legal Services Agreements

Almost every attorney deals with legal services agreements (also known as retainer agreements) on a daily basis.  While having a written record with the terms of the attorney-client relationship can be helpful, many legal services agreements are overly complex, one sided, and not client or victim-centered. 

The content of this program does not meet requirements for continuing legal education (CLE) accreditation. You will not receive CLE credit for participating.

Part 1

  • Presented by Alicia Aiken, Gillian Chadwick, and Kimberly Waldon
  • Tuesday, January 24, 2023 (2:00-3:30 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PT)

Part 1 of this webinar series will offer an introduction on the core purpose of a legal services agreement, explain the essential parts of the agreement, and identify what terms should be reconsidered or left out.  In this webinar, you will preview the ABA CDSV’s new Model Legal Services Agreement, hear about lessons learned, and receive tips for what you and your organizations can do to rethink and improve your legal services agreements.

Download PowerPoint 

Download English Transcript 

Part 2

  • Presented by Cannon Han, Sandra Harrell, and Jessie Mindlin
  • Thursday, January 26, 2023  (2:00-3:30 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PT)

Part 2 of this webinar series will take a deeper dive into legal services agreements and best practices when using them.  In this webinar, you will learn more about how to make legal services agreements more accessible and address special considerations that may arise when executing agreements with minors, clients with limited English proficiency, and individuals with disabilities.

Download PowerPoint 

Download English Transcript 

This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-22-GK-004003-MUMU, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.