Unless previously terminated, our representation of a matter for a client will terminate upon the Firm’s completion of currently outstanding assignments or delivery of final documents for execution. At the conclusion of a matter, the matter will be closed, and the Firm will retain the client file for a period of seven (7) years, or such longer period if required by applicable law or the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct. The Firm will return to the client original documents and materials provided by the client unless the client has requested or agreed that the Firm retain such original documents and materials as part of the client file.
The Firm may store some or all of the client file in an electronic format. After paper documents are digitized, the Firm may destroy the paper documents in the client file.
At the expiration of the applicable retention period, the Firm may destroy all physical and electronic client file materials unless the client notifies the Firm in writing, in advance of the destruction date, that the client wishes to take possession of the client file. The Firm reserves the right to charge administrative fees and costs associated with researching, retrieving, copying and delivering the requested files to the client. If the client does not choose to timely request return of the client file in writing prior to the destruction date, the client agrees that all remaining contents may be destroyed without further notice to the client. The Firm will destroy the contents of the client file in a manner designed to preserve confidentiality.
The Firm’s files relating to a matter will be owned by the Firm. These Firm files include firm administrative records, time and expense reports, personnel and staffing materials, credit and accounting records, and internal lawyers’ work product such as drafts, notes, internal memoranda, internal email, and legal and factual research, and purely private impressions of counsel. These Firm files may be destroyed at the discretion of the Firm.