ENGAGEMENT LETTER — ATTORNEY-CLIENT AGREEMENT

[LAW FIRM NAME] [Street Address], [City], California [ZIP] Telephone: (213) 555-0100 | Facsimile: (213) 555-0101 [attorney@lawfirmname.com]

January 12, 2026

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL AND EMAIL

Juan Cruz and Lucia Cruz [Client Address] Los Angeles, California [ZIP]

Re: Representation in Cruz v. Bright Horizon Property Management LLC — Habitability Matter Case No.: 24STUD09342 (FICTIONAL) Court: Los Angeles County Superior Court

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Cruz,

We are pleased to confirm our agreement to represent you in connection with the above-referenced habitability matter against Bright Horizon Property Management LLC (“Bright Horizon”), arising from conditions at your residence in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. This letter sets forth the terms and conditions of our representation. Please read it carefully. If you have any questions, contact us before signing. By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms.

1. SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION

We are retained to represent both of you, jointly as co-plaintiffs, in connection with claims arising from the alleged breach of the implied warranty of habitability, negligence, and violations of the Los Angeles Municipal Code at your rental unit. The claims specifically encompass:

Toxic mold growth resulting from unrepaired water intrusion;
Non-functioning HVAC system (heating and cooling);
Out-of-pocket medical expenses incurred as a result of the foregoing conditions;
Diminished rental value attributable to uninhabitable conditions; and
Injunctive relief requiring Bright Horizon to remediate the mold, repair or replace the HVAC unit, and inspect for underlying water intrusion.

Our representation covers pretrial litigation, discovery, and, if necessary, trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court. It does not include appeals, post-judgment enforcement proceedings, or unrelated legal matters unless we separately agree in writing.

2. FEE STRUCTURE

A. Contingency Fee — Damages Recovery

With respect to any monetary damages recovered (including compensatory damages, medical expenses, rent reduction, and statutory penalties), we will charge a contingency fee of 33⅓% of the gross recovery if the matter is resolved before trial, and 40% of the gross recovery if the matter proceeds to trial or arbitration. You owe no attorney fee on the damages portion unless and until a recovery is obtained. If no recovery is obtained, you owe no attorney fee on the damages portion.

B. Flat Fee — Injunctive Relief

With respect to the injunctive relief component of the action (seeking court orders compelling remediation and repair), the parties agree to a flat fee of $2,500, payable in two installments: $1,250 upon execution of this agreement, and $1,250 upon filing of the complaint. The injunctive relief flat fee is non-refundable once the second installment is paid and work has commenced.

C. Costs

You are responsible for all out-of-pocket litigation costs, including but not limited to filing fees, process server fees, expert witness fees, deposition transcript costs, and courier fees. We will advance costs on your behalf and deduct them from your recovery. If no recovery is obtained, you remain responsible for costs advanced.

3. AUTHORITY LIMITS

We are authorized to make strategic and procedural decisions in the ordinary course of litigation without seeking your advance approval, including discovery responses, scheduling matters, and routine court filings. However, we will not, without your express written consent:

Settle your claims for any amount;
Dismiss or voluntarily abandon any cause of action;
Enter into any agreement affecting your rights in the subject property; or
Accept any offer of judgment.

If a settlement offer is received, we will promptly communicate it to you and await your written instruction before responding.

4. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

You agree to:

Cooperate fully with us, respond promptly to requests for documents and information, and attend all required hearings and depositions;
Notify us immediately of any direct communications from Bright Horizon or its attorneys;
Preserve all documents, photographs, medical records, and written communications relating to the habitability conditions; and
Keep us informed of any change of address or contact information.

5. CONFLICT OF INTEREST WAIVER

We have conducted a conflicts check using our firm’s standard procedures. We are not aware of any current conflict of interest that would prevent our representation of both Juan Cruz and Lucia Cruz jointly. You each acknowledge that we represent both of you in this matter and that, in the unlikely event a conflict arises between your individual interests, we may be required to withdraw from representing one or both of you. You each waive any known conflicts at this time and consent to joint representation.

6. COMMUNICATION AND FILE MANAGEMENT

We will provide you with regular updates on the status of your case. The primary attorney responsible for your matter is [ATTORNEY NAME — STATE BAR NO. ######]. All client communications will be directed to both Juan and Lucia Cruz unless you instruct us otherwise.

At the conclusion of our representation, we will provide you with copies of your file upon written request. Original documents will be held for a minimum of five (5) years following closure of the matter, after which they may be destroyed unless you request return.

7. TERMINATION OF REPRESENTATION

You have the right to terminate this agreement at any time by written notice to us. We reserve the right to withdraw from representation upon reasonable notice and consistent with the California Rules of Professional Conduct, including in the event of non-cooperation, a conflict of interest, or a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. Upon termination, you will be responsible for any costs advanced and any reasonable attorney fees earned for work performed prior to termination on the flat-fee injunctive component.

8. MEDIATION/ARBITRATION OF FEE DISPUTES

In the event of a dispute regarding fees, you have the right to participate in the State Bar of California’s Mandatory Fee Arbitration program prior to filing a civil action.

By signing below, we each confirm that we have read this letter, that we understand and agree to its terms, and that we consent to joint representation on the terms set forth herein.

CLIENT — PLAINTIFF 1:

Juan Cruz Date: ___________________

CLIENT — PLAINTIFF 2:

Lucia Cruz Date: ___________________

ATTORNEY:

[ATTORNEY NAME — STATE BAR NO. ######] [LAW FIRM NAME] Date: ___________________

This document is a fictional representation created for portfolio purposes only. All names, case numbers, and factual details are invented.