This ATTORNEY-CLIENT RETAINER AGREEMENT (“Contract”) is entered into by and between you, the undersigned (hereinafter “Client”) and Edison Law Group, PLLC, (hereinafter “Attorney”).

1.  CONDITIONS.

This Contract shall not take effect, and Attorney will have no obligation to provide legal services, until Client signs this Contract and submits the required payment.

Client understands that he or she is protected by the attorney-client privilege.  The attorney-client privilege protects confidential communications between Client and Attorney from public disclosure and is one of the oldest evidentiary privileges – under penalty of disbarment and possible criminal prosecution.    

The Attorney’s responsibility under this Agreement shall be limited to preparing the Search Report. The Search Report will rely upon a variety of electronically searchable databases, both foreign and domestic, and in addition to relevant patents, will also include relevant literature such as commercial productions, brochures, journals, and professional publications. The Attorney shall not represent the Client in any other matter under this Agreement.

The Attorney shall also provide a patentability opinion as part of the Search Report providing its best estimate regarding what type of patent claims the United States Patent Office may or may not approve upon the filing of a non- provisional United States patent application. The Attorney shall also provide a consultation to the Client to discuss the Search Report.

The total legal fee for the Services agreed to by Attorney and Client: $395 (Flat Fee)

In most instances, the Attorney works under flat fixed-fee arrangements that are paid up front before time and effort is expended on a matter. In our opinion, traditional hourly billing focuses on the wrong thing - the “amount” of work or length of effort expended on a particular matter. In contrast, we prefer to focus on the quality of our work and the results achieved. Advanced flat fixed-fee arrangement gives us the flexibility to thoroughly research a matter without worry about how much the client will be charged - since hourly billing can get out of hand sometimes. This freedom is believed to result in a superior work product for clients, and the satisfaction of all parties that our best efforts were provided. From the client’s perspective, fixed-fee arrangements provide predictability for budgeting and planning purposes. We will provide a separate invoice for each matter. Unless otherwise stated in writing, the advanced fixed-fee will be deposited into the Firm’s general account and treated as prepaid, earned fees. Discrete matters will be invoiced upon their completion, particularly if the matter is billed on an hourly basis.. Many of our legal services may be provided on a fixed-fee basis that includes expected government fees and our fees. For example, our fixed-fees quote on each matter may include a number of different services, encompassing, but not limited to, legal counseling and strategy prior to the review and preparation of necessary documentation or other investigation, converting supporting documentation to electronic formats, reviewing proper classifications, docket information entry and synchronization with government records, submission and attorney declaration required for executing a filing in a patent or trademark office. All of these activities are included in our fixed-fee rate which represents, generally, an average of what these specific services are likely to cost on an hourly basis. Of course, if you prefer, we can bill all of these individual activities at an hourly rate. Just let us know prior to our beginning work on a particular matter or project.

It is unethical to make guarantees of any kind with regard to any legal outcome for a client. Nothing in this Agreement and nothing in the Attorney’s communications with the Client shall be construed as a promise or a guarantee regarding the outcome of the Attorney’s representation of Client. The Attorney makes no promises or guarantees of any kind and any comments the Attorney or the firm makes or has made about the outcome of this legal representation are or were expressions of opinion only. Client understands that there are tens of millions of patent documents worldwide. It is impossible for any Law Firm in the world to guarantee the completeness of any Patent Search Report due to the immensity and volume of searchable material.

Any controversy, claim or dispute arising out of or relating to this Contract, or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by arbitration in the District of Columbia. The arbitration shall be administered by American Arbitration Association pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures (“Rules”). The arbitrator shall, in the Award, allocate all of the costs of the arbitration, including the fees of the arbitrator and the reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses of the prevailing party, against the party who did not prevail. The Award shall be in writing and shall specify the factual and legal basis for the Award. Judgment on the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

Client may discharge Attorney at any time. Attorney may withdraw with Client’s consent, or on thirty days’ advance notice, or for good cause. Good cause includes Client’s breach of this Agreement, Client’s nonpayment of fees or costs, and Client’s failure to cooperate with Attorney or to follow Attorney’s advice on a material matter or any other fact or representation that would render Attorney continuing representation unlawful or unethical.

This Agreement contains the entire agreement between Client and Attorney relative thereto. This Agreement shall not be modified except by written agreement signed by Client and Attorney. If any provisions of this Agreement are held in whole or in part to be unenforceable for any reason, the remainder of that provision and of the entire Agreement will be severable and remain in effect. Attorney may also call upon other attorneys or staff in its offices or outside its offices when it considers it necessary or beneficial to do so.

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the District of Columbia without regard to its conflicts of law provisions

The effective date of this Contract shall be the date upon which Client executes the contract and pays the required fees.

Client acknowledges that she/he has read and agrees to the above terms: