PROOF OF CLAIM ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT
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Important Pleadings
April 26, 2026
Engagement Agreement
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Client Information
Re: Representation in Claims Against UMB Bank, N.A. and Other Matters in the Buckingham Bankruptcy Case
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The purpose of this letter is to set forth our understanding and agreement pursuant to which our law firm, Baker & Associates (the "Firm" or "B&A"), has agreed to represent you ("you") in the bankruptcy case described above for the matters described herein and matters related thereto.
Scope of Engagement
The scope of our engagement is as follows:
You are engaging the Firm to represent you to pursue claims against UMB Bank, N.A. ("UMB"), the lender at the Buckingham Senior Living Community, Inc. (the "Buckingham"), for funds from the sale of the Buckingham or other places, for priority as set forth in the Motion to Determine Standing or, Alternatively, for Order Granting Standing to Pursue Claims (the "Motion"). You understand and agree that the Firm is authorized to pursue the alleged claims for you and others similarly situated against UMB and possibly others. You also understand that the Firm will be representing other individuals or estates with similar claims, and you specifically agree that the Firm may represent other individuals in this matter that are similarly situated.
The claims you have or may have against the Buckingham and/or UMB are based on payments made to the Buckingham for amounts designated as "entrance fees" and other upfront costs to move into, renew, or for a new lease at the Buckingham (collectively, the "entrance fees") and the promises or representations made to you regarding such entrance fee amounts. You may have claims against the Buckingham or UMB for the return of part of such entrance fee amounts upon a move out, death, or other event.
You understand and agree that the representation is limited to you and others who sign letters of representation for similar claims or causes of action. Further, the obligations of the Firm are specifically limited to the scope of engagement set forth herein and nothing else. If you desire that the Firm provide other representation, then you must request such further representation in writing and the Firm must agree in writing to such further representation.
Compensation
The Firm has agreed to represent you and others in the matters described herein on a contingency fee basis based upon your recovery as described herein. You will not be charged any fees for services based on an hourly fee unless you specifically agree in writing with the Firm. This agreement has no provisions for you to pay any hourly fees to the Firm. The Firm reserves the right to assign lawyers and other personnel of its choice to your matter, and to determine the conduct of the representation.
The Firm is not and will not take a contingency percentage amount from the $7,400,000 for the UCC and the $12,000,000 to be paid by Focus Healthcare. The Firm will only get funds from any recovery. Any payments to the Firm will only be made from recoveries for you and others as residents or former residents.
In consideration of the services contemplated hereby, the Firm will receive the Firm Contingency Percentage (as defined in the agreement) of the Excess Gross Sums Recovered. For the claims included in this agreement, the Firm Contingency Percentage shall be 30% of the Excess Gross Sums Recovered under, or related to, the above referenced matter by you, your affiliates, or any agent or representative of you. The amount increases to 35% if a matter or case is settled, resolved or adjudicated after a notice of appeal has been given or filed. If the total number of clients of the Firm for this matter is greater than 30, the percentages are reduced to 20% and 25%. If the total number of clients is greater than 60, the Firm Contingency Percentage is reduced to 15% and 20%. The Firm Contingency Percentage shall be calculated for all clients as a group depending on the number of clients. The Firm will notify you if its total clients exceed 30 and if its total clients exceed 60. After determination of the Firm Contingency Percentage and the amount to be paid to the Firm, the Firm will be entitled to be reimbursed its expenses from the funds to be distributed to you.
Example: if the Excess Gross Sums Recovered is $100,000 and the Firm has over 60 clients, then the Firm will get $15,000. From the remaining $85,000, the Firm will be reimbursed its expenses and the remaining amount will be distributed to you based on your pro-rata share. Your pro-rata share will be a fraction where the numerator is your allowed claim to be paid to you and the denominator is the allowed claim amount to be paid to all clients of the Firm in this matter.
"Excess Gross Sums Recovered" shall be the amounts recovered by the Firm to be distributed or paid to you and the other clients of the Firm on this matter in excess of the following amounts: (i) the allocable share for current and former residents of approximately $7,400,000 to be set aside for all unsecured creditors, which includes trade vendors, and (ii) $12,000,000 for the Rent Rebate Fund to be paid by Focus Healthcare. Under the current structure, the UCC, with court approval, will determine who is paid and how much is to be paid from the $7,400,000 allocated to the UCC. Focus is to determine the amounts to be paid when you and other residents sign a new lease with Focus. The Excess Gross Sums Recovered will be determined based, in part, on the amounts allocated to you and the residents from the $7,400,000 and the $12,000,000 Rent Rebate Fund.
The Firm acknowledges that the UCC has obtained agreements from UMB to pay approximately $7,400,000 to be set aside for all the unsecured creditors from the sales proceeds and also acknowledges that Focus has agreed to pay approximately $12,000,000 to residents of the Buckingham that sign a new lease and stay at the Buckingham for at least 12 months under the Rent Rebate Fund.
Expenses
From any recovery of Excess Gross Sums Recovered, you are obligated to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses which the Firm incurs on your behalf, including without limitation court costs, filing fees, certified mailing fees, deposition charges, expert witness fees, long distance telephone, messenger service, overtime secretarial or staff services, overtime or working meals, travel expenses, parking, use of local counsel, cost of investigation and computerized research, or other costs advanced by the Firm. If the Firm is successful, the Firm will also bill you a reasonable charge for copying and faxing of documents performed on its premises by its personnel. You also agree to reimburse any fines, costs or fees asserted or assessed against the Firm and its members as a result of action that the Firm and its members were directed to take by you or which were taken in the good faith belief that such action was in your best interest. These costs will be billed and noted separately on our invoice. All of the foregoing are called "Firm Expenses." Your obligation to reimburse the Firm for the Firm Expenses shall be only from and to the extent of your portion of the Excess Gross Sums Recovered, as set forth in this Agreement.
Billing Mechanics and Matters
The fees to be paid to the Firm are based on the recovery in this matter. Therefore, the Firm may not keep daily records of the time in this case. The Firm does not send invoices on a regular basis in contingency fee cases. In this matter, no invoices are expected to be sent for the services but only for expenses incurred if and only if the Firm is successful. The Firm may provide you with a statement setting forth, in reasonable detail, all advances for the above-mentioned expenses. At the conclusion of the matter or case, the Firm will provide a summary of the recovery, if any, the fees to be paid on a contingency basis and the expenses to be paid from the recovery.
Since the Firm anticipates that it will represent multiple clients in this matter or case, the Firm will have to make a determination as to the division of the recovery and the expenses to be reimbursed from the recovery based on your original entrance fee claim as approved by the Debtor. Such determination shall be binding on all parties to this agreement or any similar agreement for the same matters.
If you receive a check or funds in payment of a settlement, judgment or otherwise, you agree that after receipt of the check, you will endorse the check to the Firm, transmit it to the Firm and the Firm will promptly make payment as provided in the agreement.
Withdrawal by Firm
The Firm may withdraw from its representation of you in this matter at any time for any reason, including without limitation: (i) if the Firm determines that a conflict of interest has arisen as a result of its representation of you; (ii) if you insist that the Firm engage in conduct contrary to the best judgment or advice of the Firm; (iii) if you fail to meet your obligations to the Firm under the agreement, including payment obligations or requirements to provide documents or information; (iv) if a disagreement arises as to how the Firm should manage the litigation, bankruptcy case or an adversary proceeding; or (v) if the relationship between you and the Firm reaches a status that the Firm does not believe continuing representation is effective or warranted. You specifically agree to this and authorize the Firm to represent to any court, should litigation then be pending, the fact of and your acquiescence in the Firm's withdrawal. You also agree to execute any documents required by the court evidencing your consent to the Firm's withdrawal as your counsel. Withdrawal does not affect amounts owed under the agreement.
Client Discharge
You may request that the Firm cease representing you at any time by notifying the Firm in writing or, if necessary, filing a motion to terminate the engagement with the court and notifying the Firm in writing. If no lawsuit or case is pending in a court, then you may terminate the engagement by notifying the Firm in writing.
If you elect to terminate the agreement after ten business days of the bankruptcy court ruling on the motions to allow standing (currently set for hearing on March 25, 2026, dockets 284, 285, and 286), the Firm will be entitled to receive reasonable compensation for all services rendered and reimbursement of its expenses under the contingency fee provisions; provided that any fees or expenses owed to the Firm will only be required to be paid if you obtain or receive funds in excess of the amounts you may currently receive under the proposed claims against the Debtor, UMB and the sale of the Buckingham. If you do not receive any Excess Gross Sums Recovered under the transactions with the Debtor, UMB and the sale of the Buckingham, then you will not owe any further amounts to the Firm.
Disclosures - Please Review Carefully
The Firm has informed you that there is no guaranty that the representation will be successful. The Firm cannot and does not guaranty any results or outcomes.
There will be hearings and possibly meetings with counsel for the Debtor and other parties. The Firm may attend the hearings and meetings but, to properly protect your interests, attendance at all hearings and meetings may not be necessary. The Firm will act in its reasonable judgment on the actions needed. If you request that the Firm attend all hearings and meetings, please understand that the fees will be higher. The Firm will request a written instruction to attend all hearings and meetings.
The Firm will be representing clients who are currently residents and clients who are not residents but are associated with former residents who have not gotten refunds.
Review of Agreement and Understanding of Agreement
You acknowledge that you have had sufficient and ample opportunity to fully review the agreement, that you have had opportunities to ask questions, and that you understand and agree to the agreement. You have been provided with sufficient information to make an informed decision.
Associated Counsel and Referral of Case
The Firm anticipates working with the firm of Smith & Smith on this matter. Steve Smith is an attorney with Smith & Smith along with Mary Smith. You authorize the Firm to work with Smith & Smith as co-counsel on these matters. The Firm also may consult with or engage other counsel not a part of the Firm to assist in the matters herein. Such counsel is sometimes referred to in the agreement as "associated counsel." The division of work between the Firm and associated counsel will be determined in the discretion of the Firm. Associated counsel shall be paid under the terms of the agreement. You authorize the Firm to disclose, review and discuss your matters, case and privileged information with other attorneys whom the Firm is considering engaging as associated counsel.
If the Firm desires to retain associated counsel, the Firm will obtain your approval in advance if the Firm may seek reimbursement or payment to associated counsel from you. If no payment for associated counsel is to be requested from you, the Firm may engage associated counsel without your consent.
Communications by Email
The Firm may communicate with you by email and such communication shall be considered written communications. Communications by email shall be to the person who executes the agreement at the email address designated by such person. You shall inform the Firm immediately upon any change in the person to receive emails or the email address or account. If you do not get emails, please advise the Firm. The Firm will communicate with you otherwise.
Miscellaneous
The Firm has entered into an "of counsel" relationship with various attorneys who may from time to time perform services for the Firm's clients. These attorneys are full members of the Firm but are neither partners nor associates. In such cases, you will be billed for services performed by such persons as if they were a partner or associate of the Firm as the Firm deems appropriate.
The Firm intends to do its best to represent you in the above-described matter, but no promises or guarantees as to the outcome of the case could or would be made.
This agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and all obligations of the parties are performable in Harris County, Texas. The agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
If any provision of the agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision, and the agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision does not exist.
This agreement constitutes the only agreement of the parties and supersedes any prior understandings or written or oral agreements between the parties respecting the subject matter.
If the letter meets with your understanding of the agreement concerning the Firm's representation of you in this matter, please sign in the place indicated below on the enclosed copy of the letter and return it to the Firm's office. By signing the letter, you are fully authorizing the Firm to obtain any records relevant to its representation of you in this matter. See Exhibit "A" for the important notification from the State Bar of Texas.
This agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts.
Yours truly,
Reese W. Baker, for the Firm
Contacts at the Firm
- Reese Baker - 713-979-2251
- Stephanie Del Toro - 713-979-2250, Office Manager
- Nicole Bates - 713-979-2265, Paralegal
- Gabby Martinez - 979-402-0267, Paralegal
Acceptance
The following signature indicates an acceptance of the terms of this engagement. It also is a representation that Exhibits A and B have been read.
After we have received your information we will email you a link to finalize this agreement with your online signature.
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Client Signature
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Client Name - Printed
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Client Signature
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Client Name - Printed
Exhibit A - Notice to Clients
The State Bar of Texas investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct committed by Texas attorneys.
Although not every complaint against or dispute with a lawyer involves professional misconduct, the State Bar Office of the General Counsel will provide you with information about how to file a complaint.
For more information, please call 1 (800) 932-1900. This is a toll-free phone call.
Exhibit B - Baker & Associates Fee/Rate Schedule
Attorneys
- Reese W. Baker (RWB) - $595
- Sonya Kapp (SK) - $475
- Nikie Marie Lopez-Pagan (NL) - $525
Paralegals
- Harrison Camp (HC) - $150
- Nicole Bates (NB) - $175
- Stephanie Del Toro (SDT) - $135
- Jennifer Gutierrez (JG) - $135
- Maria Jimenez (MJ) - $150
- Gabby Martinez (GM) - $150
- Susanne Taylor (ST) - $175
Rates are subject to periodic adjustments and the addition of new attorneys or paralegals.