Indigenous USDA Lawsuit Information - retainer Agreement

Click here to go back to the main USDA Lawsuit Page

RETAINER AGREEMENT -- CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
Part I -- The Farmer
I agree to retain Alexander J. Pires, Jr. and Phillip L. Fraas of Washington, as D.C., Lead Counsel, and other lawyers they may bring into the case, as Of Counsel. These attorneys, together, will represent me in the Native American farmers’ class action law suit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C. This case is brought on behalf of myself and all other similarly situated farmers who have been subject to racial discrimination between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1996, by the Farmers Home Administration or the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (or their successor agency, the Farm Service Agency), or other offices within USDA, and who filed complaints with or otherwise complained to USDA. I understand, if the suit is successful on my behalf or a settlement is negotiated to my satisfaction, I will retain one hundred percent (100%) of the money and/or benefits awarded to me. The attorneys will seek compensation (for themselves, as well as for any other attorney or person who works with them on the case) for representing and assisting me solely from the Court and USDA under the Equal Access to Justice Act and/or the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. I also understand that, I will not be required to pay any fee or expenses to the attorneys or the others working with them on the case. Further, I understand that the attorneys will make every diligent attempt to represent my interests in the law suit; and, to the extent they are required to expend their own funds for witness, travel, and other expenses, court reporter fees, and other special costs involved in prosecuting the law suit, they will be repaid for such expenditures out of any negotiated settlement funds or court awards made in the cases.
Part II -- The Attorneys
The attorneys hereby agree to represent the Client in either one of the law suit as described in Part I above. We further agree that our compensation for such representation shall be whatever amount we are awarded under the Equal Access to Justice Act and/or the Equal Credit Opportunity Act by the Court or USDA, should the law suits be successful or a settlement negotiated.
Dated:_________________ Print Name:_______________________ The Farmer
Signature:________________________ ________________________ The Farmer Attorney’s Signature
Phillip L. Fraas Alexander J. Pires, Jr.
Tuttle, Taylor & Heron Conlon, Frantz, Phelan & Pires
1025 Thos. Jeff. St., NW 1818 N Street, N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 2000 7 washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 342-1300 (202) 331-7050
1 (800) 448-FARM