Agmt09 Cohen, Steven Esq- Law Office of

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Conflicts of Interest The Firm has attempted to rule out any conflict of interest. Please inform the Firm immediately if you become aware of any additional parties that have an interest in or may be substantially affected by the Firm's representation of you in this matter. Arbitration With the exception of collection actions by the Firm on delinquent accounts, as referenced above, if a dispute ever arises between us that we cannot resolve informally, rather than either of us taking the other to court, we propose to submit the matter to binding arbitration, a process we believe is well suited to resolving lawyer-client disputes. There are important differences between litigation and arbitration. Law and public policy favor arbitration as a method of resolving disputes, and we believe arbitration has considerable advantages for both lawyers and clients. Arbitration is often quicker, less expensive and more efficient than court proceedings, enabling both sides to avoid considerable attorneys' fees and costs. In arbitration, each side would present evidence and arguments to a panel of arbitrators, usually retired judges or other persons with relevant experience, and each side would agree to abide by the decision of the arbitrators as the final determination of all legal and factual issues. The parties would get to select the arbitrators, and hearings could be scheduled more promptly and on a date certain. Arbitration is less acrimonious, and it is private, protecting confidential client information. Arbitrators have broad discretion and are not bound by strict rules of evidence and procedure, so the process is less formal and more flexible. Arbitration does have some disadvantages: fees must be paid to the arbitrators, and arbitration limits freedom of choice in how we might pursue claims and remedies against each other. In arbitration, there are limits on discovery, on the ability to compel production of witnesses and documents, and on the kinds of relief available. An arbitration agreement waives the right to a jury trial, there is no public forum, and there is virtually no appeal. Thus, arbitration tends to be relatively quick, simple, inexpensive, pri vate and final. On balance, we believe arbitration is the best way to resolve lawyer-client disputes. So unless we both agree otherwise in writing, your signature on the engagement letter will confirm our agreement to arbitrate under the following arbitration provision. The Client and the Firm expressly agree to resolve, by binding arbitration, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this engagement (except collection actions on delinquent accounts, as referenced above). Such claims or controversies include any dispute relating to this agreement, our relationship, the quality or scope of my services, the fees charged, the appropriateness of actions taken or not taken, or any other matter relating to the representation, including any claim of legal malpractice. The arbitration will be conducted under the Commercial Arbitration 2