by Attorneys Lisa Guerin & Joseph L. Matthews

Find out why you need a written agreement with your lawyer -- and what information should be in it.

Once you find a good lawyer whom you can trust to represent you in a lawsuit , you'll need to enter into a written agreement with your lawyer. Often called retainer agreements, fee agreements or representation agreements, these contracts set out the terms of the lawyer-client relationship.

Some lawyers use formal contracts running many pages in length; others use a simple letter outlining the agreement. The form of the agreement isn't really important -- what matters is that the agreement clearly explains certain key issues, such as how the lawyer's fees will be paid, who will pay for lawsuit costs and who will work on the case.

There are also nonmonetary reasons to put your agreement in writing. First, there may be other important issues that you want recorded, such as who will argue your case if it goes to trial or the circumstances in which either you or the lawyer can end the relationship. Second, the agreement can clarify the relationship you expect to have with your lawyer. For example, some agreements state that the lawyer will communicate regularly with the client about lawsuit developments or that the client will respond promptly to requests from the lawyer. Finally, putting things in writing will force you and your lawyer to be very clear about your agreement. It's all too common for each party to have a slightly different understanding of what was said. Getting your agreement down on paper will insure that you and your lawyer are both on the same page.