What does Lawsmith draft for a engagement letter?

The fee agreement every new matter needs: scope, fees, deposit, billing and how it ends. You start from the matter's documents, describe it in your own words, or answer plain intake questions, and the draft comes back as an editable Word document for your review.

Where do the citations come from?

From the statutes, court rules, regulations and forms Lawsmith has saved from each state's government publishers, with the date each text was read and a label saying whether it is the official text. Before writing, the drafter must quote the saved text behind each citation; a citation with no checked quotation reaches you marked for verification.

Is it reviewed by an attorney?

No. Every draft is a first draft for a licensed attorney's review before it is signed, filed or sent. Each citation in it quotes the text Lawsmith has on file or is marked for verification.

Five documents free, no card. After that, Professional is $499 a month for one attorney.

Engagement Letter for attorneys in 13 states, drafted from published statutes

What you get

An editable Word document, drafted from your answers and the state's published law.
A proof of sources: every citation in the draft with the words it quotes, the source and whether it is the official text, the date the text was saved and its fingerprint.
Notes for counsel listing each point marked [VERIFY], each blank and each choice left for the client.

What the intake asks

Plain questions, in the order an attorney would take the facts. Anything left blank stays a marked blank in the draft; nothing is invented to fill it.

The engagement

Who is the client
Responsible attorney and firm
What kind of matter is this
The matter and the services included
What is not included

Fees and billing

How will the fee be charged
Fee terms
Advance deposit or retainer
Costs and expenses
Billing and payment terms

The relationship

Communication and decisions
Conflicts and consents
Ending the engagement
Fee disputes
Other terms

Signing

How will this be signed
Other instructions or open decisions

Where it is offered

Every state Lawsmith has sources for:

California Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Maryland Massachusetts New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas Virginia

Sources on file

The drafter works from the texts Lawsmith has saved for this document in the state you choose, plus federal law where it applies. Each is read from its government publisher and dated, and labelled official only where the state designates that text official.

State	Sources for this document
California	17
Connecticut	3
Delaware	3
District of Columbia	9
Florida	7
Maryland	17
Massachusetts	8
New Jersey	6
New York	8
Ohio	11
Pennsylvania	8
Texas	9
Virginia	11

Among them, for New Jersey:

N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1: 6 years
N.J.S.A. 2A:13-5 Lien for services.
N.J.S.A. 2A:13-6 Recovery of fees and disbursements.
N.J.S.A. 56:8-1: Definitions.
N.J.S.A. 56:8-2: Fraud, etc., in connection with sale or advertisement of merchandise or real estate as unlawful practice.

The law on file, state by state

What the drafter reads for this document in each state, from the publisher's own pages. A listed text is on file; whether it governs your matter is your call. The collection does not establish complete legal coverage.

California

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6201. Notice of client's right to fee arbitration before suing for fees; waiver after 30 days statute
Text requiring an attorney to send the client a written notice, in the board-prescribed form stating the client's right to arbitration, before or at the time of serving a summons or commencing another proceeding to…
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6200. Mandatory Fee Arbitration; State Bar system for fee and cost disputes; exclusions statute
Text directing the State Bar's board of trustees to establish a system for arbitration, and optionally mediation, of disputes over fees and costs charged by licensees, and listing matters the article does not cover,…
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6147.5. Merchant collection claims; exemption from sections 6147 and 6148; fee limits without a written contract statute
Text exempting from sections 6147 and 6148 contingency contracts for claims between merchants arising from business sales, leases, services or loans where the merchant client employs 10 or more people, and capping the…
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6148. Written fee agreements where expense will exceed $1,000; billing; voidable if noncompliant statute
Text requiring a written contract, with a signed duplicate to the client, in any non-contingency matter where total expense including fees is reasonably foreseeable to exceed $1,000;
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6068. Duties of an attorney, including subdivision (m) on status inquiries and keeping clients informed statute
Text of the State Bar Act's list of attorney duties. Subdivision (m) makes it the attorney's duty to respond promptly to reasonable status inquiries and to keep clients reasonably informed of significant developments in…
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6149. Written fee contract is a confidential communication statute
Text deeming a written fee contract a confidential communication within section 6068(e) and Evidence Code section 952.
Cal. Civ. Code § 1624. Statute of frauds statute
Contract formation, interpretation and remedies text. Read the complete provision, including scope, definitions, exceptions and effective dates, before applying it to this agreement.
Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.15. Safekeeping Funds and Property of Clients and Other Persons court rule
State Bar text of rule 1.15 on the chapter 1 page. Funds held for a client, including advances for fees, costs and expenses, go into an identifiable trust account maintained in California unless the client consents in…
Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.2. Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority court rule
State Bar text of rule 1.2, published on the chapter 1 page of the current rules. The rule has the lawyer abide by the client's decisions on the objectives of representation and on settlement, and allows a limited-scope…
Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.4. Communication with Clients court rule
State Bar text of rule 1.4 on the chapter 1 page. The rule requires the lawyer to promptly inform the client of decisions or circumstances needing disclosure or informed consent, to consult about the means of the…

Connecticut

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-251c. Limitation on attorney contingency fees in personal injury, wrongful death and property damage actions. Waiver of limitation by claimant. statute
Connecticut text on contingent fees in personal injury, wrongful death and property damage claims: the fee contract must comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct, the contingent fee is the exclusive method of…
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-110b: Unfair trade practices prohibited statute
Unfair trade practices text. Read the complete provision, including scope, definitions, exceptions and effective dates, before applying it to this agreement.

Delaware

6 Del. C. § 2511 statute
Consumer fraud scope text. Read the complete provision, including scope, definitions, exceptions and effective dates, before applying it to this agreement.
6 Del. C. § 2513 statute
Consumer fraud scope text. Read the complete provision, including scope, definitions, exceptions and effective dates, before applying it to this agreement.

District of Columbia

D.C. Code § 12-301: Limitation of time for bringing actions statute
D.C. Code § 28-3901: Definitions and purposes (Consumer Protection Procedures Act) statute
D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.2: Scope of Representation. court rule
The D.C. Bar's official publication of Rule 1.2 (Scope of Representation): the lawyer abides by the client's decisions on objectives and settlement, and may limit the scope of the representation if the limitation is…
D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.4: Communication. court rule
The D.C. Bar's official publication of Rule 1.4 (Communication): the lawyer keeps the client reasonably informed, complies with reasonable requests for information, explains matters so the client can make informed…
D.C. Code § 28-3904: Unfair or deceptive trade practices statute
Lists the prohibited practices and states that a violation occurs whether or not any consumer is in fact misled, deceived or damaged.
D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.15: Safekeeping Property. court rule
The D.C. Bar's official publication of Rule 1.15 (Safekeeping Property): client and third-person property is held separate from the lawyer's own, trust funds go into trust accounts at an approved depository with DC…
D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.16: Declining or Terminating Representation. court rule
The D.C. Bar's official publication of Rule 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation): when a lawyer must withdraw, when a lawyer may withdraw, and the steps on termination the rule requires, including refund of…
D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5: Fees. court rule
The D.C. Bar's official publication of Rule 1.5 (Fees) of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct: the fee must be reasonable under the listed factors;

Florida

Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-1.5. Fees and Costs for Legal Services (RRTFB Chapter 4 as posted November 2026) court rule
Rule 4-1.5 read out of The Florida Bar's chapter 4 publication, a long rule: no illegal, prohibited or clearly excessive fee or cost, with the two tests for clear excess and the factors for reasonable fees and costs in…
Fla. Stat. § 90.502. Lawyer-client privilege. statute
Florida Evidence Code text defining lawyer, client and confidential communication and stating the client's privilege to refuse to disclose confidential communications made in the rendition of legal services, who may…
Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-1.2. Objectives and Scope of Representation (RRTFB Chapter 4 as posted November 2026) court rule
Rule 4-1.2 read out of The Florida Bar's chapter 4 publication: the lawyer abides by the client's decisions on the objectives of representation and on settlement, consults on the means, may take impliedly authorized…
Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-1.4. Communication (RRTFB Chapter 4 as posted November 2026) court rule
Rule 4-1.4 read out of The Florida Bar's chapter 4 publication: the five duties to inform and consult the client on the status of the representation, and the duty to explain matters enough for informed decisions.
Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 5-1.1. Trust Accounts (RRTFB June 30, 2026) court rule
Rule 5-1.1 read out of The Florida Bar's chapter 5 publication: a lawyer holds client and third-person funds and property in trust, separate from the lawyer's own;
Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-1.16. Declining or Terminating Representation (RRTFB Chapter 4 as posted November 2026) court rule
Rule 4-1.16 read out of The Florida Bar's chapter 4 publication: when a lawyer must decline or withdraw, when withdrawal is allowed, and the later subdivisions on a tribunal's permission and the duties on termination.

Maryland

Md. Code, Business Occupations and Professions § 10-303. Deposit of trust money in interest-bearing account for the Maryland Legal Services Corporation Fund statute
Maryland text requiring deposit of trust money in an attorney trust account whose interest is payable to the Maryland Legal Services Corporation Fund when the expected interest would not exceed $50 or would not cover…
Md. Code, Business Occupations and Professions § 10-301. Attorney trust accounts: definitions statute
Maryland definitions for Part I of the attorney trust account subtitle: "attorney trust account" (including an escrow account), "beneficial owner" and "trust money" as a deposit, payment or other money entrusted to a…
Maryland Rules, Rule 19-301.2. Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Client and Attorney (1.2) court rule
The Maryland Judiciary's designated official publication of Rule 19-301.2 (Scope of Representation), effective January 1, 2025: the attorney abides by the client's decisions on objectives and settlement, and the rule…
Md. Code, Business Occupations and Professions § 10-302. Attorney trust accounts required to accept trust money statute
Maryland text providing that a lawyer may not accept trust money unless the lawyer or firm maintains an attorney trust account under the subtitle and the Maryland Rules, that the account must be at an approved financial…
Md. Code, Business Occupations and Professions § 10-304. Deposit of trust money statute
Maryland text requiring a lawyer to deposit trust money expeditiously into an attorney trust account, except under a contrary court order, and allowing disbursement at a real estate settlement.
Md. Code, Business Occupations and Professions § 10-306. Misuse of trust money prohibited statute
Maryland text stating that a lawyer may not use trust money for any purpose other than the purpose for which it is entrusted to the lawyer.
Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-101: Three-year limitation in general statute
Md. Code, Business Occupations and Professions § 10-305. Investment of trust money statute
Maryland text allowing a lawyer to withdraw trust money, other than money required to earn interest for the Maryland Legal Services Corporation, and invest it as the client or beneficial owner instructs or as the lawyer…
Md. Code, Commercial Law § 13-101: Definitions (Maryland Consumer Protection Act) statute
Consumer means an actual or prospective purchaser, lessee or recipient of consumer goods, services, realty or credit, and expressly includes a co-obligor or surety for a consumer.
Maryland Rules, Rule 19-301.4. Communication (1.4) court rule
The Maryland Judiciary's designated official publication of Rule 19-301.4 (Communication), effective July 1, 2023: the attorney promptly informs the client of matters requiring informed consent, keeps the client…

Massachusetts

Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.2. Scope of representation and allocation of authority between client and lawyer (SJC Rule 3:07) court rule
Massachusetts scope rule as published: the lawyer seeks the client's lawful objectives through reasonably available means, and under paragraph (c) may limit the scope of the representation if the limitation is…
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 221, § 50. Attorney's lien for fees; enforcement statute
Massachusetts text giving the attorney who appears in an action or agency proceeding a lien for reasonable fees and expenses on the client's cause of action, judgment and proceeds, enforceable by the court in which the…
Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.4. Communication (SJC Rule 3:07) court rule
Massachusetts communication rule as published: the lawyer promptly informs the client of decisions requiring informed consent, consults about the means of achieving the client's objectives, keeps the client reasonably…
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93A § 2 statute
Unfair trade practices text. Read the complete provision, including scope, definitions, exceptions and effective dates, before applying it to this agreement.
Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.15. Safekeeping property (SJC Rule 3:07) court rule
Massachusetts safekeeping rule, effective September 1, 2024 as published: trust property is held separate from the lawyer's property, trust funds go in a trust account, only bank-charge funds and mixed funds may be…
Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.16. Declining or terminating representation (SJC Rule 3:07) court rule
Massachusetts withdrawal rule, effective June 1, 2025 as published: a lawyer must decline or withdraw where representation would violate the rules or law, the lawyer's condition impairs the representation, the lawyer is…
Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.5. Fees (SJC Rule 3:07) court rule
Massachusetts fee rule as published by the Trial Court Law Libraries: a lawyer may not charge an illegal or clearly excessive fee, and under paragraph (b) the scope of the representation and the basis or rate of the fee…

New Jersey

N.J.S.A. 2A:13-5 Lien for services. statute
After a complaint, third-party complaint, counterclaim or cross-claim is filed or served, the attorney appearing for the party asserting it has a lien for compensation on the client's action, cause of action, claim or…
N.J.S.A. 56:8-1: Definitions. statute
N.J.S.A. 2A:13-6 Recovery of fees and disbursements. statute
An attorney may sue a client or the client's legal representative for reasonable fees, charges or disbursements only after first delivering a copy of the bill to the client, leaving it at the client's dwelling with a…
N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1: 6 years statute
N.J.S.A. 56:8-2: Fraud, etc., in connection with sale or advertisement of merchandise or real estate as unlawful practice. statute

New York

N.Y. Judiciary Law § 474-a. Contingent fees for attorneys in claims or actions for medical, dental or podiatric malpractice. statute
Text capping contingent fees in medical, dental or podiatric malpractice claims, notwithstanding any inconsistent judicial rule, at 30 percent of the first $250,000 recovered, 25 percent of the next $250,000, 20 percent…
N.Y. General Obligations Law § 5-701: Agreements required to be in writing statute
Contract writings, modification and scope restrictions text. Read the complete provision, including scope, definitions, exceptions and effective dates, before applying it to this agreement.
N.Y. Judiciary Law § 475. Attorney's lien in action, special or other proceeding. statute
Text of the charging lien: from the commencement of an action or proceeding, the service of an answer with a counterclaim, the initiation of mediation or arbitration, or the provision of services in a settlement…
N.Y. General Business Law § 349: Unfair, deceptive or abusive acts and practices statute
Distinguish Article 29-H conduct rules from remedies. Section 602 includes public enforcement and a narrow private action for an aggrieved recipient served with more than 50 information subpoenas per month under its…
N.Y. Judiciary Law § 474. Compensation of attorney or counsellor. statute
An attorney's compensation is governed by agreement, express or implied, which is not restrained by law, except that a contingent or percentage agreement with the guardian of an infant is valid only as the section…
N.Y. Judiciary Law § 475-a. Notice of lien. statute
Where, before an action, arbitration, mediation or proceeding is commenced, an attorney serves a notice of lien on the persons against whom the client has or may have a claim, the attorney has a lien on the claim from…
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213: Actions to be commenced within six years statute
The six-year period for an action upon a contractual obligation or liability, express or implied, which remains the limitation for non-consumer debt and for consumer obligations that fall outside the CPLR 214-i…

Ohio

Ohio Rev. Code § 4705.09. Depositing client funds. statute
Ohio text allowing an attorney, firm or legal professional association to establish an interest-bearing trust account for client funds that are nominal in amount or held for a short period, with an insured depository.
Ohio Rev. Code § 4705.15. Contingent fee agreements. statute
Ohio text defining a contingent fee agreement and a tort action. Division (B) states that where a contract for legal services in connection with a claim that is or may become a tort action includes a contingent fee…
Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.2: Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority (as amended effective January 1, 2026) court rule
Rule 1.2 read out of the Supreme Court of Ohio's rulebook: the lawyer abides by the client's decisions on objectives and on settlement, consults on the means, may take impliedly authorized action, and under division (c)…
Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.4: Communication (as amended effective January 1, 2026) court rule
Rule 1.4 read out of the Supreme Court of Ohio's rulebook: the five things a lawyer must do to keep a client informed and consulted, the duty to explain matters enough for informed decisions, and division (c), which…
Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5: Fees and Expenses (as amended effective January 1, 2026) court rule
Rule 1.5 read out of the Supreme Court of Ohio's rulebook: no illegal or clearly excessive fee, judged by the listed factors;
Ohio Rev. Code § 1345.01 statute
Consumer transaction scope text. Read the complete provision, including scope, definitions, exceptions and effective dates, before applying it to this agreement.
Ohio Rev. Code § 1345.02 statute
Unfair consumer practices text. Read the complete provision, including scope, definitions, exceptions and effective dates, before applying it to this agreement.
Ohio Rev. Code § 4705.10. Requirements for accounts. statute
Ohio text stating the requirements for an interest-bearing trust account established under section 4705.09: funds subject to withdrawal on request, a rate of interest not less than that paid to regular depositors, and…
Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.15: Safekeeping Funds and Property (as amended effective January 1, 2026) court rule
Rule 1.15 read out of the Supreme Court of Ohio's rulebook: client and third-party property is held separate from the lawyer's own;
Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.16: Declining or Terminating Representation (as amended effective January 1, 2026) court rule
Rule 1.16 read out of the Supreme Court of Ohio's rulebook: when a lawyer must decline or withdraw, when a lawyer may withdraw, the tribunal's permission, and the duties on termination, including the client papers and…

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.2. Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Client and Lawyer (204 Pa. Code § 81.4) court rule
Rule 1.2 read out of the Pennsylvania Code's chapter 81 page: the lawyer abides by the client's decisions on the objectives of representation and on settlement, consults on the means, may take impliedly authorized…
Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.4. Communication (204 Pa. Code § 81.4) court rule
Rule 1.4 read out of the Pennsylvania Code's chapter 81 page: the five duties to inform and consult the client, the duty to explain matters enough for informed decisions, and paragraph (c), which requires a lawyer in…
Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, Act 387 of 1968 statute
Unfair trade practices and consumer protection law text. Read the complete provision, including scope, definitions, exceptions and effective dates, before applying it to this agreement.
204 Pa. Code Chapter 81. Rules of Professional Conduct (Subchapter A, § 81.4). court rule
The Pennsylvania Code's complete Chapter 81, which holds the Rules of Professional Conduct in § 81.4 as one long page.
Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.15. Safekeeping Property (204 Pa. Code § 81.4) court rule
Rule 1.15 read out of the Pennsylvania Code's chapter 81 page, a long rule that opens with definitions (Eligible Institution, Fiduciary, Fiduciary Funds, Financial Institution and the rest) and goes on to govern where…
Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.16. Declining or Terminating Representation (204 Pa. Code § 81.4) court rule
Rule 1.16 read out of the Pennsylvania Code's chapter 81 page: when a lawyer must decline or withdraw (a violation of the Rules or other law, impairment, or discharge), when a lawyer may withdraw on the listed grounds,…
Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5. Fees (204 Pa. Code § 81.4) court rule
Rule 1.5 read out of the Pennsylvania Code's chapter 81 page: no illegal or clearly excessive fee, judged by the listed factors;

Texas

Tex. Gov't Code § 82.0651. Civil liability for prohibited barratry. statute
Texas text allowing a client to bring an action to void a contract for legal services procured by barratry and to recover the fees and expenses paid, a penalty and attorney's fees as stated.
Tex. Gov't Code § 82.065. Contract for legal services. statute
Texas text requiring a contingent fee contract for legal services to be in writing and signed by the attorney and client, making any contract for legal services voidable by the client if procured by barratry, and…
Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.02. Scope and Objectives of Representation (compilation effective March 7, 2025) court rule
Rule 1.02 read out of the Supreme Court of Texas's compilation of the Disciplinary Rules, effective March 7, 2025: the lawyer abides by the client's decisions on objectives and general methods, on settlement offers and…
Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.03. Communication (compilation effective March 7, 2025) court rule
Rule 1.03 read out of the Supreme Court of Texas's compilation of the Disciplinary Rules, effective March 7, 2025: the lawyer keeps the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter, complies promptly with…
Tex. Gov't Code § 81.079. Public notification and information. statute
Texas text requiring each attorney practicing in the state to notify clients of the existence of the grievance process by one of the listed means, which include making brochures available, posting a sign, including the…
Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.04. Fees (compilation effective March 7, 2025) court rule
Rule 1.04 read out of the Supreme Court of Texas's compilation of the Disciplinary Rules, effective March 7, 2025: no illegal or unconscionable fee, judged by the listed factors;
Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.15. Safekeeping Property (compilation effective March 7, 2025) court rule
Rule 1.15 read out of the Supreme Court of Texas's compilation of the Disciplinary Rules, effective March 7, 2025: funds and property belonging in whole or part to clients or third persons are kept separate from the…
Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.16. Declining or Terminating Representation (compilation effective March 7, 2025) court rule
Rule 1.16 read out of the Supreme Court of Texas's compilation of the Disciplinary Rules, effective March 7, 2025: when a lawyer must decline or withdraw (a violation of the rules or law, impairment, or discharge with…

Virginia

Va. Code § 8.01-382: Verdict, judgment or decree to fix period at which interest begins; final order; judgment or decree for interest statute
The court or jury may fix the date interest begins on any principal sum awarded, and the order must provide for interest until the principal is paid.
Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia, Part Six, Section II, Rule 1.15. Safekeeping Property (amendment order effective March 15, 2020) court rule
The Court's amendment order for Rule 1.15, printing only the amended paragraphs and marking omitted text with asterisks: all funds received or held for a client or third party, other than reimbursement of advanced…
Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia, Part Six, Section II, Rule 1.2. Scope of Representation (as amended January 11, 2022) court rule
The Court's amendment order with the amended text of Rule 1.2 and its comments. A lawyer abides by the client's decisions on the objectives of the representation and on whether to accept a settlement offer, consults on…
Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.4. Communication (Virginia State Bar complete rules, effective July 27, 2026 edition) court rule
Rule 1.4 as printed in the Virginia State Bar's complete rulebook, read as one rule: a lawyer keeps the client reasonably informed and complies promptly with reasonable requests for information, explains matters to the…
Va. Code § 59.1-198: Definitions statute
Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia, Part Six, Section II, Rule 1.5. Fees (as amended May 16, 2025, effective July 15, 2025) court rule
The Supreme Court of Virginia's amendment order carrying the full amended text of Rule 1.5. The fee must be reasonable under eight listed factors;
Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.16. Declining or Terminating Representation (Virginia State Bar complete rules, effective July 27, 2026 edition) court rule
Rule 1.16 as printed in the Virginia State Bar's complete rulebook, read as one rule: a lawyer must decline or withdraw where the representation would violate the Rules or other law, where the lawyer's condition…
Va. Code § 59.1-199: Exclusions statute
Consumer protection exclusions text. Read the complete provision, including scope, definitions, exceptions and effective dates, before applying it to this agreement.
Va. Code § 8.01-246: Personal actions based on contracts statute
Virginia Code § 54.1-3932. Lien for fees. statute
Virginia text giving an attorney contracted to prosecute a tort, contract-damages, annulment or divorce cause of action a lien on it as security for fees, effective against settlement once written notice of the lien is…

How the draft is checked

Before it writes, the drafter must quote the saved text behind each citation. Lawsmith compares every quotation with the text on file, character for character; a citation with no checked quotation reaches you marked [VERIFY]. The draft still needs your review before it is signed, filed or sent. How citations are checked

Questions attorneys ask

What does Lawsmith draft for a engagement letter?: The fee agreement every new matter needs: scope, fees, deposit, billing and how it ends. You start from the matter's documents, describe it in your own words, or answer plain intake questions, and the draft comes back as an editable Word document for your review.
Which states is the engagement letter offered in?: All 13 states Lawsmith covers: California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
Where do the citations come from?: From the statutes, court rules, regulations and forms Lawsmith has saved from each state's government publishers, with the date each text was read and a label saying whether it is the official text. Before writing, the drafter must quote the saved text behind each citation; a citation with no checked quotation reaches you marked for verification.
Is it reviewed by an attorney?: No. Every draft is a first draft for a licensed attorney's review before it is signed, filed or sent. Each citation in it quotes the text Lawsmith has on file or is marked for verification.
What does it cost?: Five documents free, no card. After that, Professional is $499 a month for one attorney.