FITZGERALD LAW GROUP, P.C.

ADDITIONAL TERMS & CONDITIONS (Cook County) 10/25

1. Client will always be kept fully apprised as to all substantive developments in the matter. Client is encouraged to communicate with Attorney whenever they have a question about any aspect of this engagement. Client agrees to fully cooperate with Attorney during all aspects of this case. Client consents to the receipt of newsletters and bulletins, from Attorney, from time-to-time, via email. All correspondence, forms, briefs, worksheets, and supporting documentation are part of the Attorney’s work product and shall remain the property of Attorney.

2. Client is advised that assessing officials (Assessor, Board of Review, Property Tax Appeal Board) have the authority to increase the assessed valuation, either upon their own discretion or upon intervention by a taxing body or taxpayer. Being fully informed of such a possibility, Client directs Attorney to proceed with the assessment appeal(s) as per this Agreement. Client shall be responsible for the timely filing of income tax returns which may be requested by assessing officials. Client shall tender to Attorney, a copy of such returns and proof of such filing.

3. Client acknowledges that Attorney is to invest a substantial amount of time and effort in preparing a case for an assessment appeal and agrees that Attorney is to be compensated regardless of who (client, another person, another attorney or assessing official) procured or granted any assessment reduction or tax refund. In the event Attorney and Client agree, this Contract may be extended for an indefinite number of assessment periods, beginning with the next scheduled reassessment year, and will be binding as to other properties that client directs Attorney to contest the assessed valuation. The following acts shall be determinative of the parties intent to extend the contract for an additional assessment term: 1) A written direction from the client as to legal representation during the first year of the reassessment year; and 2) The filing of an assessment appeal, before any governmental assessing official relating to the assessment, during the first year of the reassessment year. The parties acknowledge that email execution of this contract is permissible and agree that a copy of this executed agreement shall be considered valid and enforceable as if the copy is an original document. This contract shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

4. Historically, assessment reductions are generally in effect for the balance of the assessment term unless identified as being in effect for a lesser period. Assessment reductions are sometimes subject to revocation in whole or in part, during subsequent years of the assessment term, due to construction or modification of the improvements or the application of a township or county multiplier. Upon occurrence of such a revocation, Attorney shall have the option to take what steps are necessary to restore the aforesaid assessment reduction in whole or in part.

5. In the event of a transfer of any Client interest in the subject real estate, termination of Client’s leasehold interest in the subject real estate, the filing of a foreclosure action against Client, Client’s un-cooperation to an extent that Attorney cannot continue representation or Client’s termination of this Agreement prior to the end of the triennial period, all earned fees (including those for the then current triennial years, which have yet to be billed) shall become due and payable immediately.

6. Attorney shall have the option, with written notice to Client, to cease all legal representation in the event of Client’s breach of any of the covenants, terms or conditions contained within this Agreement.

7. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by arbitration in Chicago, Illinois before one arbitrator. The arbitration shall be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures and in accordance with the Expedited Procedures in those Rules. Judgment on the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. This clause shall not preclude parties from seeking provisional remedies in aid of arbitration, in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

8. Client acknowledges that this contract, and the covenants contained within, or the obligations created pursuant to this contract, shall not be assignable to a subsequent owner and / or lessee without the prior written consent of Attorney.

9. Client agrees to cooperate with Attorney in all aspects of the tax refund process. In the event that tax payments are made by a tenant, escrow agent, landlord, mortgagee or subsequent owner, Client is charged with and accepts responsibility for obtaining payer’s full co-operation to obtain the tax refund. Client grants Attorney a lien against any tax refunds arising from client’s interest in any other real estate parcel; and a Power of Attorney for the limited purpose of endorsing or receiving all refund instruments (Check, EFT or Wire Transfer), depositing same into Attorney’s IOLTA Account and distributing such funds in accordance with this current and/or prior agreement if applicable; or apply the surplus to any Client balance which remains outstanding. Client acknowledges that the county may issue the refund to the payer only and in recognition of such, hereby directs that the aforesaid Power of Attorney shall be applicable to refund instruments made payable to those that paid Client’s tax bill. It shall be Client’s responsibility to inform the payer of the aforesaid Power of Attorney.

10. Client agrees to pay their property tax bill(s) in a timely manner unless advised otherwise by Attorney, in writing.

11. Client’s additional properties to be added in this agreement may be added later, via the Client’s correspondence, subject to the Attorney’s acknowledgement.