In our daily human interactions, it is common to hear about legal cases — a dispute between two parties, businesses, or an external and complex matter. When such situations occur, those involved often turn to attorneys for help to represent their interests or enforce their rights.
In this regard, the attorney you hire will send a letter of attorney representation. This document serves as the official notice that you are represented and that the case you have will be handled or managed by the attorney.
But what’s an attorney letter of representation?
An attorney letter of representation is a legal document that lets all the parties involved in a case that an attorney or law firm has been hired to represent a party, group, or business in a legal dispute. It usually details the client being represented and their case to any other relevant attorneys or parties involved.
Generally, it is used in various legal situations such as professional malpractice, car accidents, business lawsuits, family law issues like divorce or custody, and all types of personal injury cases.
An attorney letter of representation serves one critical purpose: informing all parties involved in the dispute that an attorney now represents a specific party or group in the case. You must note that until such a notice is given, the attorney cannot communicate with any other parties involved.
Put differently, the letter of representation serves as a way to officially record who the attorney represents and what they represent them for. It also states that all communications should be sent to your attorney rather than the client to protect the client’s interests.
For instance, if a business is a party to a dispute, the letter of representation allows the company to have an attorney speak on its behalf without involving the business directly. Where it is a personal injury case, the letter lets the court or faulty party know that you’re represented. It sets out your attorney’s authority to manage your case, including prosecuting or settling it on your behalf.
Also, the document acknowledges that your attorney or the firm was hired and will be paid. This ensures that the attorney can continue to represent you in a legal dispute without any issues regarding payment or compensation.
For an attorney letter of representation, some vital features distinguish it from any other letter. But generally, the following details would be contained in the letter of representation:
The name and general information of the attorney or law firm representing a party;
The client that the attorney is representing;
A statement that shows that permission or authorization has been granted to the attorney to represent the client — in all matters, including court proceedings or negotiations;
A statement that the attorney is authorized to receive any communications or correspondence from other parties involved in the case;
A succinct summary of the case and the claim of the represented client.
Well, if you’re still wondering, “What does it mean to get a letter of representation from an attorney?” just know that it highlights the above information and gives notice that you have an attorney working on your case.
Regarding legal disputes, there are certain situations when sending an attorney letter of representation is necessary.
It is best practice and advisable to send the letter of representation as soon as possible when a dispute arises. So, such a letter would suffice for ease and efficiency in notifying all parties in a particular case. But remember that you can generally send a letter of attorney representation in the following instances:
You have retained an attorney and wish to inform the other party of this representation.
You have a business or company and intend to hire an attorney for your legal matters, communications, correspondence transactions, or any other business that affects the company’s interest.
You need a lawyer to help resolve any dispute amicably and speak on your behalf.
You require representation in and out of court.
Whenever you find yourself in any legal tussle, it is recommended that you hire an attorney and immediately send the corresponding document, often a letter of intent to sue, that informs all parties of such representation. By doing this, your attorney can act on your behalf and represent your interests in the matter.
With the proper knowledge and guidance, writing an attorney letter of presentation looks pretty straightforward. You can follow the following steps to get the best out of the letter of representation.
Begin your letter by addressing the recipient. Then, introduce yourself or your firm as the attorney representing a party in the case or legal dispute. Remember to provide all relevant contact details, including the address of the law firm, phone number, and email address.
After introducing yourself or your firm, clearly state the client’s name and provide some background information related to the case or legal dispute. For instance, if the issue is on personal injury, details such as date, location, parties, and any other relevant information must be included here.
In this section, explain your (or firm’s) capacity to represent the client in the case or legal dispute. What is the nature of the service or presentation being provided? Will there be negotiations? It could relate to court proceedings or any other business that defines the scope of engagement.
Let’s assume it’s a car accident case. The letter must show that the attorney will just be handling or representing the client to recover damages for medical expenses, property damage, and any other costs related to the incident.
After providing all the necessary details and information, end your letter with a polite note of appreciation. For example, ‘Thank you for your kind consideration as we await your timely response.’ Also, you must remember to include your signature or the signature of any other authorized person in the law firm.
In conclusion, a letter of representation from an attorney you’ve hired is like having a superhero rescue you in a legal battle. It signals to the other side that you are serious about your case and provides a much-needed sense of relief, knowing that you have someone in your corner.
Now that you know all about what is a letter of representation from an attorney, if you find yourself in any legal predicament, don’t hesitate to call in the cavalry and send that attorney letter of representation to ensure that your interests and rights are protected.
Yevheniia Savchenko is a Product Content Manager at Lawrina. Yevheniia creates user interface copies for Lawrina products, writes release notes, and helps customers get the best user experience from all Lawrina products. Also, Yevheniia is in charge of creating helpful content on legal template pages (Lawrina Templates) and up-to-date information on US law (Lawrina Guides). In her spare time, Yevheniia takes up swimming, travels, and goes for a walk in her home city.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the product or UX content for Lawrina, feel free to contact Yevheniia directly at y.savchenko@lawrina.org or connect with her on LinkedIn.
A letter of representation is required when a lawyer needs to formally notify another party that they are representing a client in a legal matter. It is a means of formally establishing the client-attorney relationship.
Generally, a representation letter includes details such as the client’s name, legal matter details, scope of representation, and the lawyer's contact information. The particulars may vary depending on the specific case and purpose of the letter.
An attorney representation letter is typically sent out at the beginning of the lawyer-client relationship, especially before starting any legal proceedings or negotiations. The exact time can vary depending on the circumstances of the case.