Terms of Service
STANDARD TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT
1. Scope of Services. Work will be performed on an as requested basis and only when the client or its agent specifically asks for the work to be performed. The client understands that Craze Law and Cassie Craze may provide updates regarding changes in the law to clients in some situations as a courtesy but has no obligation to do so even if the change impacts a prior opinion, document, or review by Craze Law or Cassie Craze. Craze Law and Cassie Craze provide representation on general issues impacting community associations. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by Craze Law and Cassie Craze, services provided do not include litigation, collection of past due assessment accounts, or other work not specifically accepted by Craze Law and Cassie Craze.
2. Client. The client is the community association or developer entity. The association/entity should designate a representative authorized to communicate with Craze Law and Cassie Craze and should inform Craze Law of the authorized contact. Craze Law and Cassie Craze will generally communicate with any Board member or the client’s manager or employees and will assume that such person is authorized to make the contact with legal counsel and to incur attorney’s fees and related costs on behalf of the association unless: (a) notice is provided to Craze Law and Cassie Craze of a specific representative authorized to make such contact; or (b) Craze Law or Cassie Craze has other reason to know that the person making the contact is not authorized to make such contact or to incur such charges.
3. Statements. Statements will be provided monthly for attorney’s fees, paralegal fees, and costs incurred during the preceding month. Statements will include itemized descriptions of all work performed and expenses incurred or advanced during the billing period. Statements will generally be sent by email.
4. Legal Fees. Work performed will initially be billed at $310.00 per hour for attorney time (to increase to $315.00 per hour on January 1, 2024) and $100.00 per hour for paralegal time, except to the extent that a different billing arrangement has been agreed upon. Rates may be modified in writing by Cassie Craze and Craze Law provided that advance notice shall be given for any increase in rates. There is typically a small increase in the hourly rate on January 1st of each year with the change noted in the email sent with the monthly invoice for several months prior to the change. Courtesy reductions in attorney’s fees may occasionally be provided in the discretion of Craze Law.
5. Expenses. Clients are responsible for reimbursing Craze Law for out-of-pocket expenses that it advances in the representation (i.e. recording fees, postage costs, etc.) and certain internal charges (i.e. large photocopying jobs). Clients are also responsible for the expense of third-party service providers hired to render services on behalf of clients (such as title researchers, engineers, etc.), whether invoiced to Craze Law or to the client directly. If it is anticipated that there will be substantial costs related to the representation, Craze Law may require an advance cost deposit.
6. Payment of Account. Payments for attorney’s fees, paralegal fees, and costs incurred or advanced are payable within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice from Craze Law. If an invoice remains unpaid for more than thirty (30) days, Craze Law may, upon notice, withhold further services until the invoice is paid. In addition, Craze Law may decline further services following payment entirely or unless a satisfactory deposit is made towards the payment of future services and costs. Invoices not paid within thirty (30) days may, in the discretion of Cassie Craze and Craze Law, incur a late charge of ten percent (10%) of the balance due.
7. Engagement. Clients may terminate the services of Craze Law prospectively at any time upon notice to the firm. Likewise, the firm reserves the right to resign as counsel and to terminate representation upon notice to any client. Craze Law may withdraw as counsel of record at any time due to non-payment or for any other reason. Unless sooner terminated, the attorney-client relationship will be concluded upon Craze Law sending you a final statement for services rendered, and thereafter confidential information gained by Cassie Craze and other employees of Craze Law will continue to be held in confidence pursuant to the applicable rules of professional conduct. Work is done on an as requested basis and a continuing attorney-client relationship does not necessarily mean that updates will be provided regarding changes in the law that do not impact current work.
8. Retention of Closed Files. Upon the completion of representation your file will be closed. Files may be kept in hard copy or in electronic format. Documents in the file will be kept for such period as is deemed appropriate by Cassie Craze and as necessary to comply with applicable law.