Contract analysis

1. Purpose of This Letter Calderwood & Harkness LLP (the "Firm") is pleased that you have selected the Firm to represent you in connection with your upcoming sentencing proceedings in the above-referenced matter. We appreciate the confidence you have placed in us, and we are committed to providing you with the highest quality legal representation during this critical phase of your case. The purpose of this letter is

2. Background and Procedural Posture As you are aware, on September 18, 2025, following a jury trial in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, you were convicted on the following counts of the operative Superseding Indictment: (a) Counts One through Four: Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (four counts); (b) Counts Five and Six: Money Laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §

3. Scope of Representation The Firm's representation of you is limited to the sentencing phase of United States v. Fonseca, Case No. 2:24-cr-00583-CMD, pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Specifically, our engagement encompasses the following categories of work: 3.1 Review of and Objections to the Presentence Investigation Report The Firm will undertake a comprehensive

4. Engagement Team The following attorneys will comprise the core team assigned to your sentencing representation. Each member of the team brings specific expertise relevant to the issues anticipated in your case: 4.1 Conrad Ashby — Responsible Partner Mr. Ashby is a partner in the Firm's White Collar & Investigations practice, based in the Los Angeles office. He has twenty-four years of experience in federal crimina

5. Billing Rates and Fee Arrangements 5.1 Hourly Billing Rates Professional fees for services rendered in connection with this engagement will be charged on an hourly basis at the following rates: These rates are the Firm's standard rates as of January 1, 2025. The Firm's standard rates are subject to adjustment on January 1 of each calendar year in accordance with the Firm's customary practice. In the event of any r

6. Client Responsibilities The success of the Firm's representation depends in significant part on your full cooperation and active participation in the preparation of your case for sentencing. To that end, you agree to the following: (a) You will cooperate fully and in good faith with the engagement team throughout the course of the representation; (b) You will provide complete and truthful information in response t

7. Conflict Disclosure The Firm has conducted a comprehensive conflicts check in accordance with its standard procedures and the requirements of the California Rules of Professional Conduct. Based on that review, the Firm has identified no conflicts of interest that would preclude this engagement or otherwise impair the Firm's ability to provide you with competent, diligent, and loyal representation. Specifically, th

8. Confidentiality and Privilege All communications between you and the Firm, whether oral, written, or electronic, made in connection with this engagement and for the purpose of seeking or providing legal advice, are protected by the attorney-client privilege. In addition, all memoranda, analyses, research, notes, correspondence, and other materials prepared by the Firm or at its direction in connection with this en

9. Termination of Engagement Either party may terminate this engagement at any time upon written notice to the other party. In the event that you choose to terminate the Firm's representation, or in the event that the Firm determines that withdrawal from the representation is necessary or appropriate (for example, due to a conflict of interest, nonpayment of fees, or other grounds for withdrawal recognized under the

10. No Guarantee of Outcome The Firm is committed to providing you with diligent, competent, and zealous representation throughout the sentencing proceedings. However, you acknowledge and understand that the Firm cannot and does not guarantee or promise any particular outcome or result in the sentencing proceedings. Sentencing is ultimately a matter within the sole discretion of the Court, and is influenced by numero

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution This engagement letter and the terms of the Firm's engagement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its choice-of-law principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to the Firm's fees, charges, or billing for services rendered under this engagement shall be subject to the mandatory fee arbitration proce

12. Entire Agreement and Amendments This letter constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Firm with respect to the Firm's engagement for sentencing representation in United States v. Fonseca, Case No. 2:24-cr-00583-CMD, and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, and understandings, whether oral or written, relating to the subject matter of this engagement. No modification, amendment, or waiver of