Engagements & Retainers

Start with Fit, Not a Product

NLI engagements begin by identifying the problem, the record, the appropriate practice, and the work product that would be useful.

Tracks describe recurring kinds of work. The written scope defines the actual relationship.

1. Inquiry

Send:

• a concise description of the problem;
• current or expected forum;
• jurisdiction;
• known deadlines;
• counsel and professional-adviser status;
• what has already been filed, sent, agreed, or published;
• the work product or institutional result you need;
• the core record, if available;
• adverse facts, prior rulings, and procedural obstacles;
• confidentiality or privilege constraints.

An inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship or commit NLI to accept the matter.

2. Triage

NLI identifies:

• immediate deadlines;
• preservation risks;
• likely practice and track;
• minimum records;
• whether licensed counsel or another professional is required;
• whether NLI has capacity to conduct a fit review.

3. Fit Review

A fit review determines:

• whether NLI can help;
• which practice and track are likely;
• what information is missing;
• what work product would be useful;
• principal boundaries and risks;
• whether counsel or specialists are needed;
• a preliminary scope and fee range.

Current working estimate: $500–$1,000.

The fee may be credited toward a larger engagement when the written scope says so. This range must be confirmed before payment or work.

4. Written Scope

Before substantive work begins, NLI and the retaining party agree in writing to:

• selected practice and track, or matter-specific scope;
• purpose;
• deliverables;
• client-provided materials;
• NLI responsibilities;
• counsel and professional responsibilities;
• responsible filer or decision-maker;
• deadlines and milestones;
• estimated or fixed fee;
• payment terms;
• revision terms;
• confidentiality;
• attribution and publication;
• exclusions;
• termination;
• no-outcome guarantee.

5. Record Intake and Architecture

The work begins with a defined record. Depending on practice, NLI may organize:

• chronology;
• custody;
• facts and adverse facts;
• actors and institutions;
• authority;
• duties and interests;
• governing questions;
• remedies and externalities;
• review, enforcement, succession, or separation.

6. Production and Review

NLI produces only the agreed work product.

Unless the scope says otherwise, an engagement may include:

• one factual-correction round;
• one strategic-revision round.

Material errors remain subject to correction regardless of revision limits.

7. Delivery and Closure

Delivery identifies:

• final version;
• intended use;
• open questions;
• required client, counsel, or decision-maker action;
• deadlines;
• continuing confidentiality;
• next forum or recurrence risk.

Closing NLI’s engagement does not itself mean the underlying dispute or institutional problem has reached lawful settlement.

Estimated Pricing

NLI publishes honest estimates, not universal fixed prices.

Fees depend on:

• record volume and condition;
• urgency;
• number of parties and institutions;
• forum;
• counsel and expert coordination;
• deliverable complexity;
• public sensitivity;
• appellate or implementation posture;
• travel and hard costs.

The legacy Track 0–7 estimates remain historical guidance during migration. New A/L/S track estimates will be published only after review of capacity, actual work, and scope.

Retainers

Standing advisory relationships may provide:

• periodic triage;
• early record and risk review;
• scheduled strategy sessions;
• priority response;
• conversion into scoped track work.

Retainers do not include unlimited drafting, filing, record review, campaign work, or representation unless the written agreement expressly includes them.

Current retainer tiers and prices are under review during the transition to the 26-track architecture.

Client Responsibilities

The retaining party remains responsible for:

• complete and materially accurate information;
• preserving original records;
• disclosing adverse facts;
• identifying deadlines;
• retaining licensed counsel and other professionals where required;
• deciding whether to file, send, publish, sign, or rely on work;
• complying with orders, rules, contracts, and law;
• paying agreed fees and hard costs.

NLI’s Boundaries

NLI may decline, suspend, or terminate work when:

• the record is materially incomplete or false;
• the requested use is unlawful or abusive;
• conflict arises;
• NLI lacks competence or capacity;
• required counsel or professional support is unavailable;
• the work is used outside scope to mislead;
• deadlines become impossible to meet responsibly.

NLI does not guarantee outcomes. NLI guarantees only the agreed work product and process under the written scope.