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STATEMENT OF CLIENT’S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. WRITTEN ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT

The written engagement agreement, prepared by the counsel, shall clearly address
the objectives of representation and detail the fee arrangement, including all material
terms. If fees are to be based on criteria apart from or in addition to, hourly rates, such
criteria (e.g., unique time demands and/or utilization of unique expertise) shall be
delineated. The client shall receive a copy of the written agreement and any additional
clarification requested and is advised not to sign any such agreement which the client
finds to be unsatisfactory or does not understand.

2. REPRESENTATION

Representation will commence upon the signing of the written engagement
agreement. The counsel will provide competent representation, which requires legal
knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation to handle those matters set forth in the
written engagement agreement. Once employed, the counsel will act with reasonable
diligence and promptness, as well as use his or her best efforts on behalf of the client, but
counsel cannot guarantee results. The counsel will abide by the client’s decision
concerning the objectives of representation, including whether or not to accept an offer of
settlement, and will endeavor to explain any matter to the extent reasonably necessary to
permit the client to make informed decisions regarding representation. During the
course of representation and afterwards, the counsel may not use or reveal a client’s
confidence or secrets, except as required or permitted by law.

3. COMMUNICATION

The counsel will keep the client reasonably informed about the status of
representation and will promptly respond to reasonable requests for information,
including any reasonable request for an estimate respecting future costs of the
representation or an appropriate portion of it. The client shall be truthful in all
discussions with the counsel and provide all information or documentation required to
enable the counsel to provide competent representation. During representation, the client
is entitled to receive all pleadings and substantive documents prepared on behalf of the
client and every document received from any other counsel of record. At the end of the
representation and on written request from the client, the counsel will return to the client
all original documents and exhibits. In the event that the counsel withdraws from
representation, or is discharged by the client, the counsel will turn over to the substituting
counsel (or, if no substitutions, to the client) all original documents and exhibits together
with complete copies of all pleadings and discovery within thirty (30) days of the
counsel’s withdrawal or discharge.

4. ETHICAL CONDUCT

The counsel cannot be required to engage in conduct which is illegal, unethical or
fraudulent. In matters involving minor children, the counsel may refuse to engage in
conduct which, in the counsel’s professional judgment, would be contrary to the best
interest of the client’s minor child or children. A counsel who cannot ethically abide by
his or her client’s directions shall be allowed to withdraw from representation.

5. FEES

The counsel’s fees for services may not be contingent upon the securing of a
dissolution of marriage, upon obtaining custody, or be based upon the amount of
maintenance, child support, or property settlement received, except as specifically
permitted under Supreme Court rules. The counsel may not require a non-refundable
retainer fee, but must remit back any overpayment at the end of the representation. The
counsel may enter into a consensual security arrangement with the client whereby assets
of the client are pledged to secure payment of legal fees or costs, but only if the counsel
first obtains approval of the Court.

The counsel will prepare and provide the client with an itemized billing statement
detailing hourly rates (and/or other criteria), time spent, tasks performed, and costs
incurred on a regular basis, at least quarterly. The client should review each billing
statement promptly and address any objection or error in a timely manner. The client will
not be billed for time spent to explain or correct a billing statement. If an appropriately
detailed written estimate is submitted to a client as to future costs for a counsel’s
representation or a portion of the contemplated services (i.e., relative to specific steps
recommended by the counsel in the estimate) and, without objection from the client, the
counsel then performs the contemplated services, all such services are presumptively
reasonable and necessary, as well as to be deemed pursuant to the client’s direction. In an
appropriate case, the client may pursue contribution to his or her fees and costs from the
other party.

6. DISPUTES

The counsel-client relationship is regulated by the Illinois Rules of Professional
Conduct (Article VIII of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules), and any dispute shall be
reviewed under the terms of such Rules.

APPROVED:

___________________________ _________________________

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Statement of client rights(1)

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