CENTENNIAL LAW OFFICES
California Statewide Representation
Quick 3-step process to Business Citadel enrollment:
1.) Review the plan comparison chart and details below. If you have any questions, please email or call (888)308-1119. Once you have
decided on a plan, click the blue "ENROLL" link corresponding to the plan of your choice.2.) From the "ENROLL" link you will be directed to a complete a short enrollment form. The enrollment form concludes with a section to
remit the initial monthly fee.3.) You will receive a confirmation letter by mail within 7-10 days after you have submitted the enrollment form. The letter contains important
information on how to make use of your legal representation benefits. Included in the confirmation letter is a client-ID with which you may access
your client profile online to check such information as your plan usage, expiration date, billing, and much more. The confirmation letter also includes
a special after-hours emergency legal help number available only to Business Citadel plan clients. A printed copy of the retainer agreement as listed
below will be included for your signature.
Business Citadel Representation Plans/Fees
(per month)
(per month)Limited
$20.00/mo.1 doc. up to 5-pages in length. $50 for first hour, $175/hr. up to 6hrs, $255/hr. thereafter. $10/hr. for first 25hrs, $175/hr. thereafter. Limited Plus $30.00/mo. 1 doc. up to 10-pages in length. $50/hr. for first 2 hours, $175/hr. up to 9hrs, $255/hr. thereafter. $10/hr. for first 40hrs, $175/hr. thereafter. Standard $50.00/mo. 2 doc. up to 15-pages in length. $50/hr. for first 4 hours, $175/hr. up to 15 hrs, $225/hr. thereafter. $10/hr. for first 60hrs, $175/hr. thereafter. Extended $75.00/mo. 3 doc. up to 15-pages in length. $50/hr. for first 7 hours, $175/hr. up to 25hrs, $225/hr. thereafter. $10/hr. for first 80hrs, $155/hr. thereafter. Extended Plus $125.00/mo. 4 doc. up to 15-pages in length. $50/hr. for first 10 hours, $175/hr. up to 40hrs, $225/hr. thereafter. $10/hr. for first 120hrs, $155/hr. thereafter. 1 Up to 1-hour will be devoted to each question. If the legal question requires more time, the client may elect to supplement with "General
Attorney Time." Each inquiry must be based on a separate set of facts.
2 For plans offering multiple document review, each document must relate to an independent contract or subject matter.
3 General attorney time is independent and in addition to any other legal representation category such as legal inquiries or debt collection letters.
This time may be obtained at the hourly rates for any representation matter, including extending the legal services of any other provided category.
4 Lawsuit defense time does not include representation for pre-existing litigation (where a lawsuit or otherwise governmental action has already
commenced).
5 Letters and calls are available where attorney deems appropriate to further client's legal interests in resolving or preventing a legal issue.A one-time $55.00 client account set-up fee applies to all plans. All plans run for one-year from the date of initiation and may be renewed subject
to the agreement of the client and Centennial Law. 5% savings are available by paying annual retainer fees in a single payment.
Legal inquiries
Important legal questions frequently arise in the business environment. Hiring an attorney to ask a question about a routine transaction or zoning
ordinance is expensive and impractical. Under Business Citadel plans, you may ask quick legal questions for which Centennial Law will research
and promptly respond, free of charge. You may also call the special after-hours legal support number.Document Review
This benefit allows you to have business documents and contracts reviewed at no cost. An attorney will provide advice and/or recommendations
so as to protect your interests in the matter. Examples include disclaimers, advertisements, employment agreements, purchase/sales agreements,
service contracts, bills of sale, and warranty/return policies. Contracts or other business documents may be conveniently submitted by email
attachment, mail, fax, or by upload through this website to be promptly reviewed by an attorney. (The upload feature is available through your client
profile page).General Attorney Time
The average attorney fee rate in California is about $300/hr. Business Citadel clients may obtain legal services at substantially reduced rates. This
empowers your business to obtain counsel that may well prevent costly legal mistakes - without paying costly legal fees. A special after-hours
emergency legal support number is also provided.Lawsuit Defense
Lawsuits, often against small businesses, are constantly on the rise. Many small or even frivolous lawsuits result in costly settlements being paid by
businesses. This is due to the fact that hiring an attorney to defend the action would be even more expensive. Lawsuits can often be prevented or
quickly dismissed by being proactive and maintaining an attorney on retainer. In the event that litigation is inevitable, Business Citadel plans work to
mitigate the potentially severe financial burden of defending against a lawsuit.Debt Collection/Bad Check Letters
At no cost, Centennial Law will send letters in an attempt to recover debts owed to your business. Contacting debtors quickly and firmly is critical
to avoid losses. Receiving a firm letter from a business's attorney is very often enough to convince a debtor to make good on their obligation.Employee background checks
Regardless of the nature of your business, problem employees may lead to inefficiencies, theft, and even ruinous civil liability. Centennial Law will
provide your business with criminal/public records background checks on current or prospective employees - at no charge.Letters/calls on your behalf
It is an unfortunate nature of the business world that conflict and misunderstandings are a natural and repetitive occurrence. Often a single call or
letter from your attorney can prevent an issue from becoming a problem, and stop a problem from becoming a lawsuit. You will be surprised how
fast routine problems seem to disappear when you involve your attorney. Examples include charge-back disputes, credit report issues, and
nonconforming services/goods disputes.You will receive a written version of the following agreement with enrollment:
THE BUSINESS CITADEL REPRESENTATION (RETAINER) AGREEMENT
Business Citadel representation plans (hereinafter "CITADEL PLAN") are retainer agreements between Centennial Law Offices (hereinafter"CENTENNIAL LAW") and Business Citadel member clients (hereinafter "MEMBER CLIENT").
Nature of Representation:
Business Citadel plans are classic retainer agreements directly with Centennial Law Offices to be of counsel and provide legal services at the identified rates for the term of one-year. Centennial Law Offices is a legal practice for which Business Citadel plan members are clients. MEMBER CLIENT agrees to accept CITADEL PLAN representation in full or part by attorneys associated with CENTENNIAL LAW under fee-splitting agreements. The representation fees for the client do not increase regardless of fee-splitting agreements with associated attorneys. CITADEL PLANS are not insurance, no coverage or indemnity for costs incurred to third parties is provided.
Requesting Legal Services:
Legal Inquiries as defined in the plan must be submitted by email. MEMBER CLIENT may request a follow-up call from an attorney after having submitted the inquiry by email. Emergency questions may be made initially by telephone.Documents to be reviewed under the Document Review section of the plan may be submitted by email attachment, mail, fax, or by upload through the website.
For any other legal services necessitating MEMBER CLIENT to make documents available to CENTENNIAL LAW for review, such documents may be submitted by email attachment, mail, fax, or by upload to Google Documents.
In circumstances necessitating attorney to make a premises visit to MEMBER CLIENT'S business or any other location, attorney's travel time will be included in billable hours.
Fees:
The monthly plan fees constitute a "classic retainer" fee to ensure the availability of Centennial Law Offices at the specified discounted rates. The fees associated with each respective CITADEL PLAN are classic retainer fees. The fact that fees may be paid monthly is a matter of convenience to the client, and not to be construed as advance fees or fees otherwise being paid per any legal services during any given month. Legal services are charged at the hourly rates listed for each respective plan or otherwise offered free of charge to clients maintaining CENTENNIAL LAW on retainer under a CITADEL PLAN. MEMBER CLIENT may elect to pay the annual plan retainer fee in advance (with a 5% discount) or set up monthly billing. Monthly billing is available only through electronic checking drafts ("e-check" or ACH payments) initiated by CENTENNIAL LAW.Where MEMBER CLIENT will incur hourly fees, CENTENNIAL LAW will provide advance notice that such fees will be incurred (beyond those complimentary services provided under the respective CITADEL PLAN). An estimate for the cost of such legal services will also be provided. MEMBER CLIENT will then have the option to accept or decline services based on the estimated fees. Where CENTENNIAL LAW estimates legal fees to exceed $1,500 within a 30-day period, CENTENNIAL LAW may require MEMBER CLIENT to deposit a retainer to cover prospective legal fees. Legal fees will then be billed against said deposited retainer, which CENTENNIAL LAW will keep in an attorney-client trust account.
Where MEMBER CLIENT incurs hourly fees, CENTENNIAL LAW will bill MEMBER CLIENT for all time spent on representation, including all necessary communication with MEMBER CLIENT by telephone or otherwise. All fees are due and payable within 20-days of invoicing, unless stated otherwise on the invoice.
Where MEMBER CLIENT is plaintiff in an action, CENTENNIAL LAW may offer to represent MEMBER CLIENT on a contingency-fee basis as opposed to an hourly or flat-rate billing. In such situations, CENTENNIAL LAW will provide representation at 25% of any recovery after costs (reduced from industry standard of 33%).
Payment of Costs:
MEMBER CLIENT shall pay for all costs associated with representation. Examples of costs associated with representation are fees paid to the government to obtain licenses or permits for client, as well as court filing fees, and mailing fees (for mail sent on client's behalf). These examples are illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive of costs borne from representation for which MEMBER CLIENT is responsible. CENTENNIAL LAW will advise client of costs expected to exceed $25.00 before incurring them on behalf of client. CENTENNIAL LAW reserves the right to request that MEMBER CLIENT deposit funds into an attorney-client trust account when costs are expected to be in excess of $100.00 during any 30-day period. Where CENTENNIAL LAW has paid out costs on behalf of MEMBER CLIENT, MEMBER CLIENT shall immediately reimburse such costs upon being invoiced.
Scope of Representation:
Legal representation is only available for matters within the jurisdiction of California courts, including federal courts sitting within California. Representation afforded under CITADEL PLANS is available only for matters directly involving the business enrolled in the plan. In the event MEMBER CLIENT has commercial insurance providing for legal representation under certain circumstances, MEMBER CLIENT agrees to exhaust insurance benefits prior to making use of the "Lawsuit Defense" representation afforded by the CITADEL PLAN.CENTENNIAL LAW cannot and will not represent MEMBER CLIENT in a manner adverse to any other current client. Non-adverse representation involving two or more current clients may be appropriate where all clients agree in writing to accept such arrangement and where there no conflict of interest exists. Under certain circumstances, CENTENNIAL LAW will not be able to represent MEMBER CLIENT in an action adverse to a prior client. Neither of these conflict of interest situations shall not be construed as CENTENNIAL LAW "withdrawing" from representation of MEMBER CLIENT.
Representation under CITADEL PLANS specifically excludes the following: Preparation, filing, or consultation associated with income taxes. Any action involving admiralty law, immigration law, patent law, tax law (including IRS actions and tax liens), or felony criminal law. Any action involving group or class actions for which MEMBER CLIENT is a defendant. Any action which would require CENTENNIAL LAW to violate the California Rules of Professional Conduct. Any action in which legal proceedings were initiated by any party prior to MEMBER CLIENT'S enrollment in a CITADEL PLAN. Any action involving the refinancing of real property. Any action that does not directly involve the business (company or organization) of MEMBER CLIENT.
No Guarantee As To Outcome Of Legal Services:
MEMBER CLIENT understands that there is no guarantee as to the success or otherwise outcome of any legal service undertaken by CENTENNIAL LAW for MEMBER CLIENT.
Change of CITADEL PLAN:
CITADEL PLAN choice may not be changed during the 12-month term.
Termination of Representation:
CITADEL PLANS are retainer agreements for a period of one-year from the date of enrollment. In the event that the client discharges CENTENNIAL LAW during the plan period, MEMBER CLIENT remains responsible for the retainer fee consisting of the monthly fees of the respective plan for the duration of the one-year representation agreement. MEMBER CLIENT also remains responsible for the payment of any hourly rates unpaid at the time CENTENNIAL LAW is discharged as counsel.CENTENNIAL LAW retains the right to withdraw from representation of client due to any of the reasons for withdrawal as recognized under the California Rules of Professional Conduct, including failure to pay fees in accordance with this agreement. Should CENTENNIAL LAW need to withdraw from representation, CENTENNIAL LAW shall not be liable to MEMBER CLIENT for any sum greater than the sum of retainer fees collected under the respective plan. This in no way bars client from maintaining an action for professional malpractice.
CENTENNIAL LAW maintains the right to refuse to represent client on a particular matter, even where said matter is a legally appropriate action. In such event, any and all annual retainer fees will be refunded to client upon MEMBER CLIENT'S request.
Binding Arbitration:
CENTENNIAL LAW and MEMBER CLIENT agree to resolve any disputes arising under this agreement by binding arbitration or though Small Claims of the Ventura Superior Court, Ventura County.
