General Terms of Service

If any matter set forth below is not clear, please call Sterling Minor so that we might discuss the matter. No representation is made, nor can any representation be made, as to the ultimate success of the undertakings the Firm makes for You. The only material representation that is made by the Firm is that we will exert our best professional effort in our representation of our client’s interests. Absent the execution of further agreements, the Firm represents only one person, the person that has made initial contact with the Firm.

You are under an obligation to assist the Firm in carrying out the requests You make of the Firm. These obligations include providing full and truthful information to us, and promptly complying with our requests for information, documents or payment.

If providing a service does not call for a specific flat fee, (a flat fee is always based on a reasonably normal set of facts), services will be rendered by the Firm at an hourly fee basis of approximately $300.00 per hour for my time and $60.00 per hour for paralegal time. Hourly time charged may reflect the exact time spent on the legal matter or it may reflect a block of time that was allocated or charged for a certain project. This way You benefit from an attorney's experience and efficiency without having to pay for all of the attorney's previous setup time involved.

You and the Firm agree that any fee dispute will be handled through and will be finally resolved by decision of the Houston Bar Association Fee Dispute Committee.

All of the Firm’s work product will be owned by the Firm. Subject to the Firm’s obligations in the event of its withdrawal, and further subject to casualties beyond our control, the Firm will endeavor to retain the significant components of the files of the Firm relative to its legal representation for a period of 3 years following the conclusion of such matter, and during such time we will afford You reasonable access to such files. Thereafter, such files may, at the Firm’s discretion and without notice to You, be destroyed.

Under certain circumstances, You or the Firm may terminate our attorney-client relationship prior to the completion of the matter for which You engaged the Firm. Such discharge shall be communicated in writing; payment will be appropriately adjusted.

Attorneys in Texas are regulated by the State Bar of Texas per the State Bar Act. Clients have certain rights and privileges under the Act. The State Bar of Texas investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct committed by attorneys. Although not every complaint against or dispute with a lawyer involves professional misconduct, the State Bar Office of General Counsel will provide you with information about how to file a complaint if you believe one is necessary. For more information about your rights as a client, you may call the State Bar office, toll free, at 1-800-932-1900.

Last Updated: January 12, 2008