HB 2504 - DIGEST

     Provides that, promptly upon agreeing to provide legal services for a client, a lawyer shall provide the client a written explanation of the scope of the legal services, the manner by which charges for services or goods will be determined, and all other material terms of their contractual relationship.  Promptly upon agreeing to any material changes in the scope or terms, the lawyer shall provide the client a written explanation of the changes.

     Requires that, at the time of establishment of a professional relationship with a client, or as soon thereafter as practicable, and within three-year intervals in the case of an ongoing professional relationship with a client, a lawyer shall provide to the client a written statement that discloses, in plain language, the circumstances under which information relating to the client will be covered by the attorney-client privilege or by the lawyer's duty of confidentiality, or both, and the meaning of those concepts.

     Requires the disclosure statement to explain the exceptions to the attorney-client privilege and to the lawyer's duty of confidentiality that are recognized in state and federal court rules, statutory law, and judicial decisions.