Re: Plaintiff v. T-Mobile US, Inc.
Dear Client
We look forward to working with you to pursue your claims
against T-Mobile US, Inc. (“T-Mobile”) regarding T-Mobile’s August 2021 data
breach and failure to protect your personally identifiable information (“PII”)
from exposure to third parties. This is an agreement (the “Agreement”) between
you and Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC (“MCBPG”). I, along with
MCBPG attorneys who are licensed to practice law in California, will be
primarily responsible for your case. Although I am only licensed to practice
law in Florida, our team at MCBPG includes attorneys licensed in California who
will be working with me and others on your case.
You
understand and authorize MCBPG to proceed with filing your claims as an
individual arbitration, rather than in a court.[1]
Arbitration is a simplified means of pursuing legal claims, where the claim is
decided by an arbitrator rather than a judge or jury and is overseen by an
arbitral organization such as the American Arbitration Association. Arbitration
can be very different from a court case. Unlike a court case, there is no jury
in arbitration, and there is limited discovery. Although we anticipate an
arbitration, this agreement shall apply regardless of whether the claims are
filed in arbitration, in court, or resolved by settlement prior to a filing in
any forum. While it is MCBPG’s goal to secure the maximum recovery possible for
you in connection with your claims, you authorize MCBPG to resolve and settle
your claims with T-Mobile, at a minimum, in the amount of two-hundred dollars
($200.00). This is within the range of available statutory damages under the
California Consumer Privacy Act, Cal. Code §§ 1798.100, et seq., which allows for the
recovery of statutory damages of no less than one-hundred dollars ($100.00) and
no greater than seven-hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00) per consumer per
incident.
Our
firm will handle the above-referenced matter based upon a contingent fee
arrangement wherein our collective fee will be thirty-three and
one-third percent (33.33%) of any recovery obtained in this matter, whether
it be through settlement or judgment. We reserve the right to associate any
co-counsel that we deem advisable or necessary for the proper handling of your
claim. Our fee will be split among our firm and any firm(s) we associate. This
arrangement would not include any appeal that may be subsequently taken by any
party. Although atypical, there is a basis under T-Mobile’s Terms and
Conditions and/or the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Cal. Civ. Code §§1750, et seq., whereby we
may be able to recover attorneys’ fees from T-Mobile on your behalf. Should we
be successful in doing so, our fee shall be the greater of: (1) total attorneys’
fees awarded by the arbitrator or court; or (2) thirty-three and one-third percent
(33.33%) of the total recovery (including attorneys’ fees).
During
this litigation, we will incur expenses for copies, long distance telephone
calls, legal research, travel, etc. Typically, these costs are paid by the
client. However, we will advance all costs incurred by our firms, such as
copies, postage, express delivery charges, legal research (e.g., Westlaw,
LexisNexis, PACER), travel expenses, etc. We will also incur costs that are not
generated by our firm, such as the filing fees with the arbitral organization
or court, costs of the experts, legal process outsourcing companies (i.e.,
service of process, document production, trial exhibits), and deposition costs
(including transcripts). We will be reimbursed for these costs if, and only if,
we ultimately obtain a recovery. Advanced costs are deducted from the recovery
after the calculation of the contingent fee.
Please understand that MCBPG may at any time recommend
that the case not be continued for good and sufficient reasons including, but
not limited to, little or no likelihood for success on the claims’ merits, or
the lack of available sums, whether they be the assets of T-Mobile or
applicable insurance coverage. If we should make such a recommendation to
discontinue, we may withdraw our representation upon due notice.
Also
understand that your file and any materials compiled by our firms during
representation will remain the property of our firms upon conclusion of the
representation. We will cooperate fully in furnishing a copy of relevant
materials from the file to any successor attorney who you may retain.
Additionally, we will maintain the file on this matter for at least six (6)
years. Should you wish to obtain any information or materials from the file,
including personal items furnished to us in the handling of your case (i.e.,
documents, photographs), these will be returned to you by request if the
request is made within six (6) years after the conclusion of the
representation.
Finally,
we do not make any promises or guarantees regarding the outcome or conclusion
of your claims.
If
you have any questions about the foregoing, please advise. We would appreciate
your returning a signed copy of this engagement letter to us for our
files.
We look forward to working with you on this matter.
Sincerely,
Jonathan
B. Cohen