FAQs

Thank you for considering our firm. If you decide to contact us, we look forward to meeting you and reviewing your case with you. We hope that the following information will help you understand our role as your attorneys and our office procedures.

How much will it cost to talk to us?

There is no charge for your first conference with us about a personal injury or workers' compensation case. If we accept your case and you agree that our law office should represent you, a contingent fee will be charged for all legal services that we provide.

On all other types of cases, we charge up to a maximum of $125.00 for an initial one-half hour conference.

If you have any questions about our charges for your initial consultation, please ask the attorney you meet with.

Will there be a discussion of fees?

You are encouraged to ask questions about our fees at any time and particularly at our first office conference. We want you to fully understand what charges we will make. Our fee agreement will be put in writing in order to avoid any misunderstanding. You will be given a copy of this Legal Services Agreement for your records.

Most of our legal work is billed on an hourly basis. The hourly rates for professional staff time range from $150.00 to $250.00 per hour for attorneys and $80.00 for paralegals and law clerks. In most cases, you will have to pay a down payment (which is called a retainer) to cover our initial costs before legal services are rendered. The minimum amount of this retainer is usually $500.00 and may be higher depending on the kind of case you are involved with.

With some exceptions, personal injury cases are handled on a contingent fee basis of one-third of the amount you recover plus the costs and expenses we incur on your behalf. Workers' compensation cases are handled on a contingent fee basis of 20% to 25% of your recovery plus our costs and expenses. If a case is appealed, the contingent fee may be higher.

Estimates of fees are rough approximations of what our charges will likely be, excluding costs and expenses, based upon past experience. However, estimates do not include research work that may be needed, unanticipated developments, litigation, or unexpected action to counter steps taken by the adverse party.

We try to minimize our total bill to you by using our paralegals and law clerks where appropriate. These professionals always work under the attorneys' supervision and do much of the investigative and relatively routine work required by some cases.

How will I be billed?

The law office maintains an accurate record of the legal services that are provided in connection with your case. A monthly statement will be mailed to you for the work done on your case during the preceding month. The monthly statement will also include a list of any costs advanced by the law office, such as deposition fees, abstract fees, and the like, and any expenses we incurred on your behalf, such as photocopying charges and long distance telephone calls.

In contingent fee cases, a monthly billing for any costs and expenses incurred will be mailed to you. These costs and expenses are to be paid by you when you receive the bill. At the conclusion of your case, a final accounting for our percentage of your recovery will be given to you.

Am I charged for calls I make to my attorney?

Telephone calls related to your case made to our office will ordinarily be charged to you, as will calls that we make to you.

Will I be kept informed about my legal matter?

We will send you copies of all pertinent letters, documents, pleadings, briefs and other materials that are received or sent out regarding your case. We make every effort to keep you advised at all times regarding your case.

Will my legal matter be kept confidential?

By law, a lawyer cannot be compelled in most situations to divulge information given to him by a client, unless the client agrees to allow the lawyer to do so. Our entire staff knows the importance of keeping a client's legal matter completely confidential. Any information given us will be held in confidence and will not be disclosed without your permission. If you desire, any confidential papers given to us by you will be returned to you at the conclusion of your legal matter.

Who will be responsible for my legal matter?

One of our attorneys will be primarily responsible for your case at all times. Our trained staff will assist the attorney under that attorney's direct supervision.

Will my case be settled or will a trial be necessary?

The first duty of the lawyer is to see that a client is given the benefit of all their legal rights. The lawyer is obligated to see that a client receives the best possible legal service. No settlement of any case will be made without the permission of the client. Should trial be required, you will be told in detail what to expect and will be prepared for the proceedings.

Can this firm help me with other legal needs?

Should you have another matter where you need legal help, you may see a different attorney for your initial consultation. This is done in order to utilize the attorney who focuses his or her practice in the relevant field of law. This is done so that you receive the benefit of having the best qualified people in our law office help you.