Re: [CLIENT NAME] v. Tinder LLC, et al.
Dear [CLIENT
NAME]
We
look forward to working with you to pursue your claims against Tinder LLC and/or
Match Group, LLC (collectively, “Tinder”) for its violations of the Illinois
Biometric Information Privacy Act, 740 ILCS
14/1, et seq., relating to Tinder’s scanning, collecting,
capturing, and storing your facial geometry from uploaded photos and
government-issued IDs in connection with its Photo Verification process without
consent. This is an agreement (the “Agreement”)
between you and Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman LLC (“MCBPG”). I,
along with MCBPG attorneys who are licensed to practice law in Illinois and
other states, 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 Illinois and other
states 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
or your minor child in connection with your claims, you authorize MCBPG to
resolve and settle your claims with Tinder, at a minimum, for a two hundred
dollar ($200.00) value. Of course, MCBPG will do its best to resolve your
claims for a higher amount. This is within the range of available statutory
damages under Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, 740 ILCS 14/1, et seq., which allows for the
recovery of statutory damages of one-thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per negligent
violation and five-thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per intentional violation.
Our
firm will handle the above-referenced matter based upon a contingent fee
arrangement wherein our collective fee will be forty percent (40%) 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 the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, whereby we may be able to recover attorneys’ fees
from Tinder 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) forty percent (40%) 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 Tinder 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