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Legal Services Proposal Template

Legal proposals are technically engagement letters and must comply with bar rules. The professional language matters — vague scope creates billing disputes that hurt your reputation. This template balances precision with readability.

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What to include in your legal services proposal template

  • Scope of representation (specific matter, not general legal services)
  • Fee structure (hourly, flat, contingency, blended)
  • Retainer amount and trust account handling
  • Billing cadence and detailed invoice format
  • Conflict of interest check confirmation
  • Confidentiality and attorney-client privilege
  • Termination terms (by either party)
  • Dispute resolution (often mandatory arbitration)

How to price it

Hourly: $200-$800 (associates), $400-$1,200+ (partners). Flat fees for predictable matters: $500-$2,500 (LLC formation), $2,000-$10,000 (contracts), $5,000-$25,000 (M&A docs). Contingency: 25-40% of recovery.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Vague scope ('all legal matters') — invites unbounded work
  • No retainer trust account handling clause
  • Unclear billing cadence (monthly vs upon completion)
  • Missing termination terms
  • Forgetting to disclose if work involves third-party costs

Sample template content

Here's an example of what a complete proposal looks like for this niche. Use it as a starting point — you'll fill in your own details when you create one.

Scope of Work

Legal representation for [Client] regarding [specific matter, e.g., 'formation of Delaware C-Corp and seed-round financing documents']. Services included: • Entity formation, EIN application • Founder agreements and equity allocation • Employee equity plan (option pool) • Seed-round SAFE or convertible note documents • Cap table review • Up to 5 hours of incidental consultation

Sample Line Items

DescriptionQtyTotal
Entity formation & EIN1$1,500.00
Founder agreements1$2,000.00
Employee equity plan1$1,500.00
Seed financing documents1$3,500.00
Total$8,500.00

Sample timeline: Phase 1 (formation): 2-3 weeks. Phase 2 (financing docs): on demand once term sheet signed.

Terms & Conditions

Hourly rate: $450/hr. Estimated total: $4,500-$8,000. Retainer of $5,000 deposited into client trust account, drawn down against time billed. Monthly invoices with task-level detail. Payment due upon receipt. Attorney-client privilege applies to all communications. Conflict check performed; no conflicts identified. Either party may terminate engagement upon written notice; client liable for fees through termination date.

Frequently asked questions

▸ Should I use flat fees or hourly?

Flat fees for predictable scopes (formation, standard contracts). Hourly for litigation, M&A, or anything where scope can shift. Blended (flat + hourly cap) is also common.

▸ How big should a retainer be?

Typical: 10-25 hours of work. For a $400/hr rate, that's $4K-$10K. Replenish when balance falls below 50%.

▸ Can I take a contingency in business cases?

Most business attorneys don't — only for clear-recovery cases (collection, IP infringement). Bar rules vary by jurisdiction.

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