More Than Just An "I Do" - Engagement Letter Essentials (Part II)

Other than a signed release, there is perhaps no document more valuable to a malpractice defense attorney than a well-written engagement letter.  Nevertheless, client intake and engagement practices are often some of the most overlooked areas in the practice of law. 

Previously, in Engagement Letter Essentials, we discussed the importance of identifying the client and defining the scope of the representation.  When multiple clients are involved, the engagement letter takes on an added level of importance.

2.  Multiple Client Concerns.  Often attorneys are asked to represent multiple parties: co-defendants in litigation, a parent and a subsidiary in a transaction, or a husband and wife contemplating a business venture.  When undertaking the representation of multiple clients, your engagement letter should contemplate the possibility, however remote, that your clients may not always get along.