When most people think about a law firm’s values, they think about who the firm represents or what causes it supports. But values also show up in quieter places — like the documents clients are asked to sign on day one.
That’s why we recently redesigned our engagement letter.
This wasn’t a branding exercise or a formatting refresh. It was a deliberate decision to make our engagement letter clearer, more usable, and more aligned with our responsibilities as a Certified B Corporation.
A Contract Should Work for the People Who Use It
Engagement letters are important roadmaps for a healthy, productive relationship. They explain:
- who the law firm represents,
- what work is included (and what isn’t),
- how fees and retainers work, and
- what happens if the relationship ends.
Traditionally, these letters are written in dense legal prose. They may be legally correct and familiar to malpractice insurance carriers, but they are often hard to read, difficult to navigate, and easy to misunderstand.
We don’t think that serves clients well. As outside general counsel to purpose driven businesses and nonprofits, we see contracts as operating documents, not just legal formalities. A good contract should help people:
- understand their obligations,
- make informed decisions, and
- avoid surprises later.
Our redesigned engagement letter reflects that philosophy.
How Our B Corp Values Shaped the Redesign
As a Certified B Corp, Nazareth Bonifacino Law is committed to using business as a force for good — balancing profit with positive impact, accountability, and transparency. That commitment isn’t limited to how we treat our team or which clients we serve. It also applies to how we communicate risk, responsibility, and power in our legal documents.
In practical terms, that meant asking some hard questions:
- Is this document understandable to a nonlawyer?
- Can a busy business owner quickly find the answers they need?
- Are important financial and legal obligations clearly explained?
- Would we be comfortable signing this ourselves?
The redesign was our answer.
What Changed (and Why)
Here are a few examples of what we did differently — and why it matters.
1. Plain English, Not Legal Jargon
We rewrote long, complex paragraphs into shorter sentences using everyday language. Legal protections stayed the same, but the meaning is easier to grasp. Clarity isn’t about “dumbing things down.” It’s about respect.
2. A Clear “At a Glance” Overview
Key terms — like billing practices, retainer requirements, and response expectations — are now summarized upfront in a simple table. This helps clients understand the relationship quickly, without having to hunt through pages of text.
3. Better Structure and Navigation
The new letter uses clear headings, numbered sections, and bullet points where appropriate. Clients can easily find sections on fees, termination, or technology use when questions come up later. That reduces friction and saves time on both sides.
4. Transparency About Risk and Responsibility
Important provisions — such as personal payment guarantees, replenishment requirements, and dispute resolution — are clearly labeled and explained in plain language. We believe informed consent matters. Clients should understand what they are agreeing to before they sign.
Why This Matters Beyond One Document
As a B Corp, we believe how legal services are delivered matters just as much as what legal services are delivered. Clear contracts reduce misunderstandings, lower the risk of disputes, and build trust over time.
This redesign also reflects something we see again and again in our work with mission driven organizations: clarity supports better decision making, stronger relationships, and more resilient businesses.
In that sense, the engagement letter redesign is part of a larger commitment — to practice law in a way that is:
- accessible,
- transparent,
- aligned with realworld use, and
- worthy of our clients’ trust.
What Hasn’t Changed
What hasn’t changed is our commitment to providing sophisticated, highquality legal counsel. The legal substance of our engagement remains strong and protective.
What has changed is how clearly that substance is communicated.
Our Invitation to Clients
We invite clients to read the engagement letter carefully, ask questions, and tell us where something could be clearer. That dialogue is part of how we live our values in practice.
Because for us, being a B Corp isn’t just about certification. It’s about making thoughtful, sometimes small, choices that reflect the kind of professional relationships we want to build.
If you have questions about our engagement letter — or about how we practice law for good — we’re always happy to talk.
Natasha M. Nazareth, Esq.
Ginny Cascio Bonifacino, Esq.
Partners
240-202-4302
Natasha@dmvbusinesslawyers.com
Ginny@dmvbusinesslawyers.com