Letter Inputs
Sender (You)
If you signed the engagement personally, leave entity blank and use "individual former client." If you signed on behalf of a business entity, use a phrase like "principal of [Entity]" and fill in Entity below.
Recipient (Former Firm)
Recommended: include any attorney who billed time on your matter. The Rule 1.5 reasonable-fee duty runs to each lawyer who billed.
Engagement
If representation is still active or end date is unclear, leave blank — the letter will use "to the present."
If "Yes," the letter adds a paragraph referencing the court's continuing jurisdiction under 11 U.S.C. § 329 to review and order disgorgement of any fee that exceeds the reasonable value of services rendered.
Authority & Deadline
For any state not listed, the default ABA Model Rule text is used. Most states have adopted Rules 1.5 and 1.16(d) verbatim or with minor variations. Verify the rule text for your state at the bar's site before sending.
Default = 14 business days from today. Adjust if your jurisdiction or context requires shorter (e.g., active § 329 review, scheduled fee-dispute resolution hearing).
Records Requested
The default list targets the seven core categories of time and billing records relevant to a Rule 1.5 reasonableness review and any § 329 fee inquiry. Edit, add, or remove as needed for your matter.
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Related tools and resources
- General client-file demand letterSibling tool — full file production
- Unearned-fees refund demandSibling tool — fee refund
- Fee-amount dispute letterSibling tool — disputed billed amount
- Multi-surface accountability roadmapFramework — five-stage sequence
- § 329 fee-disgorgement doctrineDoctrine — court-ordered fee review
- section329.orgCompanion site — § 329 deep reference