Engagement Letter Writer
At the start of every new client engagement — before beginning any substantive work.
The engagement letter is the foundation of every attorney-client relationship: it defines the scope of representation, sets fee terms, and delivers the ethical disclosures your jurisdiction requires. A precise letter prevents the most common malpractice and fee disputes, which almost always trace back to ambiguous scope or fee language. Getting it right at intake protects both the client and the firm before any substantive work begins.
Drafting these letters is repetitive but consequential, which makes it well suited to Claude. Provide the matter description, scope inclusions and exclusions, fee structure, and governing state, and Claude returns a structured letter covering client identification, fees, retainer handling, communication expectations, termination, and file retention. For solos and small firms without a deep template library, it is a fast, cost-effective way to produce a thorough first draft.
Engagement letters carry binding ethical obligations, so the draft is a starting point, not a finished document. Confirm that the fee disclosures, any required arbitration notice, and trust-accounting terms match your state's rules, and tailor the scope to the specific matter. Claude's output is attorney work product to review and adapt, not legal advice and not a letter to send unreviewed.
The Prompt
Draft an engagement letter with the following terms: Attorney/Firm: [NAME] Client: [NAME AND ENTITY TYPE] Matter description: [DESCRIBE THE LEGAL MATTER] Scope of representation: [WHAT YOU WILL HANDLE] Scope exclusions: [WHAT YOU WILL NOT HANDLE] Fee structure: [HOURLY / FLAT FEE / CONTINGENCY — with specific terms] Hourly rates: [IF APPLICABLE — list rates for each timekeeper] Retainer amount: [IF APPLICABLE] Billing frequency: [MONTHLY / QUARTERLY / UPON COMPLETION] Governing state ethics rules: [STATE] Include provisions for: 1. Identification of the client (entity vs. individual) 2. Scope of representation — specific and bounded 3. Fee arrangement with all required ethical disclosures for the state 4. Retainer handling — trust account, replenishment terms 5. Expense reimbursement policy 6. Client obligations — cooperation, document production, truthfulness 7. Communication expectations — response times, preferred method 8. Termination by either party — process and consequences 9. File retention and destruction policy 10. Conflict waiver (if applicable — describe the conflict)
Example Output
A 3-5 page engagement letter with clear scope, fee terms, ethical disclosures, and signature blocks.
Illustrative example — names, figures, and facts are fictional.
[Firm Letterhead] April 9, 2026 Ms. Alana Briggs 14 Westover Lane Fairhaven, ST 00000 Re: Engagement for Commercial Lease Negotiation Dear Ms. Briggs: Thank you for retaining Briggs & Cole LLP. This letter confirms the terms of our representation. 1. Client. We represent you individually in connection with the matter described below. 2. Scope. We will negotiate and finalize the commercial lease for the retail space at 200 Market Street. This engagement does not include litigation, build-out permitting, or tax advice, which would require a separate agreement. 3. Fees. Our services will be billed hourly: partners at $400/hour, associates at $250/hour, paralegals at $120/hour, in tenth-of-an-hour increments. 4. Retainer. You will deposit $5,000 into our client trust account. We will bill against this deposit and ask you to replenish it when the balance falls below $1,000. The retainer is not a flat fee; unused funds are refundable. 5. Expenses. You are responsible for costs such as filing fees, courier charges, and recording fees, itemized on each invoice. 6. Billing. We invoice monthly, with payment due within 30 days. 7. Communication. We aim to respond to messages within one business day and will keep you informed of material developments. 8. Termination. Either of us may end this engagement in writing. You remain responsible for fees and costs incurred through the termination date. 9. File Retention. We will retain your file for seven years after the matter closes, then may destroy it. Please sign below to confirm your agreement. Sincerely, [Attorney Name] AGREED: ____________________ Date: __________
Tips
- •Check your state's specific requirements — some states mandate certain disclosures in engagement letters.
- •Be precise about scope exclusions — the most common malpractice claims involve scope creep.
- •Include the fee dispute arbitration notice if your state requires it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use an engagement letter?
Send one at the start of every new client engagement, before beginning substantive work. A clear letter establishes scope, fees, and the ethical disclosures your state requires, and it is your best defense against fee disputes and scope-creep malpractice claims. Use the prompt whenever you open a matter, including new matters for existing clients where the scope or fee terms differ.
Can I send Claude's engagement letter to the client as-is?
No. Engagement letters carry binding ethical and contractual obligations. Confirm the fee disclosures, trust-accounting terms, and any required fee-dispute arbitration notice match your jurisdiction's rules, and tighten the scope and exclusions to the specific matter. Personalize the letter and have it reviewed before it goes out. The attorney is responsible for the final terms.
How do I get the best draft from this prompt?
Be precise about scope, especially exclusions, since vague scope drives most disputes. Provide the exact fee structure, timekeeper rates, retainer and replenishment terms, billing frequency, and your governing state. If a conflict waiver applies, describe the conflict. The more specific your inputs, the closer the draft will be to a letter you can finalize quickly.
Does using AI to draft engagement letters raise confidentiality concerns?
It can, so handle inputs carefully. ABA Formal Opinion 512 and Model Rule 1.6 require lawyers to protect client confidentiality when using AI. At intake you may have limited information, but avoid pasting sensitive client details into consumer tools without adequate data protections, and supervise and verify the output. Communication obligations under Rule 1.4 also support giving clients clear, accurate engagement terms.
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