Engagement, Nonengagement, and Disengagement Letters

Lawyers use engagement letters, nonengagement letters, and disengagement letters to clarify whether they have an attorney-client relationship with a client or prospective client. 

If you receive and sign an engagement letter, you are establishing an attorney-client relationship with a lawyer. The engagement letter will typically describe the nature of the attorney-client relationship, including what you should expect from working with the lawyer and how much the lawyer will charge for their services. You can think of the engagement letter as a contract between you and the lawyer, whereby the lawyer offers legal services in exchange for you paying for those services and following the terms of the engagement letter. 

If you receive a nonengagement letter, the lawyer is declining to establish an attorney-client relationship with you. You should not take a nonengagement letter personally; the lawyer might not be able to take your case because of their current workload or because they believe your case will not be a good fit with their law practice. Furthermore, you should not consider yourself a client of the lawyer or their law firm, and you should not count on receiving any legal advice or services from the lawyer. Instead, you should look for a new lawyer if you want to pursue your legal claims. 

If you receive a disengagement letter, the lawyer is ending the attorney-client relationship with you. Sometimes, the relationship ends because the matter reaches its logical conclusion—for example, you settle with the other side or get a verdict at trial. Other times, the relationship ends because the lawyer cannot proceed with representing you further—for example, a fundamental disagreement arises between you and the lawyer.

Thickstun Luo LLC may be able to help you with your legal needs in Illinois or Indiana. Contact us today for a consultation.

LEGALESE is an online blog by Thickstun Luo LLC. The blog explains legal terms and concepts in plain English.

Disclaimer: The LEGALESE blog and the posts therein do not form an attorney-client relationship between you and Thickstun Luo LLC. Furthermore, this blog is not intended to render legal advice regarding your specific situation. You should consult an attorney for specific legal advice. Some content in LEGALESE blog posts pertain to state-specific legal rules and concepts that may not be applicable in every jurisdiction.