On most types of cases, we may charge up to $350.00 for an initial one-hour conference.

There is no charge for your first conference with us about a Workers' Compensation or Personal Injury case. If we accept your case and you agree that our law firm should represent you, you will receive information regarding the Contingent Fee for the legal services that we provide.

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

You are encouraged to ask questions about our fees at any time and particularly at your 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 $400.00 per hour for attorneys and $100.00 to $150.00 for paralegals and law clerks.

In most cases, you will have to pay a down payment, which is called a retainer, to cover the initial costs before legal services are rendered. The minimum amount of this retainer is usually $1,000.00 and may be higher depending on the kind of case you are involved with. This retainer does not represent an estimate of your total cost; it is merely a down payment.

Estimates of fees are just that – estimates. These are rough approximations of what your charges will likely be, excluding costs and expenses, based upon past experience. However, estimates do not include research work that may be needed, nor does it include unanticipated developments, litigation, or unexpected action to counter steps taken by an adverse party.

With some exceptions, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation 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. If a case is appealed, the contingent fee may be higher.

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

The law firm 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 firm, such as deposition fees, recording fees and the like, and any expenses we incur on your behalf such as postage, photocopying and/or fax charges.

In Contingent Fee cases, a monthly billing for any costs and expenses incurred may 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 the percentage of your recovery will be provided to you.

Telephone calls related to your case that you make to our office will ordinarily be charged to you, as will calls that we make to you regarding your case. Telephone calls regarding questions on your monthly statement will not be charged.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 firm help you.