#03
Hiring StageHigh Risk
The lawyer won't sign a formal written engagement contract with you
No Formal Contract
Why It's Dangerous
A written engagement contract is the foundational proof of a legal services relationship between lawyer and client. Without one, if something goes wrong you cannot prove the scope of services, the fees charged, or each side's rights and obligations. Verbal agreements and chat messages carry limited weight in complaints or litigation.
Typical Scenario
A client hired a lawyer to handle a contract agreement based only on a verbal agreement over chat, with no written contract signed. After collecting the fee, the lawyer did little work. When the client filed a complaint, the bar association declined to take it up, citing the absence of proof of a formal engagement.
* This scenario is illustrative, based on common patterns observed in legal disputes.
What To Do
1
A written engagement contract must be signed before any payment is made — never pay everything upfront in one lump sum2
The contract must clearly state: scope of services, fee amount, refund conditions, and the assigned lawyer3
Keep the original contract and photograph it as a backup4
If the lawyer refuses to sign a contract, switch lawyers immediatelyHave you experienced this?