What to expect
How working with us actually goes
No mystery, no surprises. Here is the whole arc of an engagement, from the first phone call to the day your matter closes, and how fees work along the way.
The process
Five steps, start to finish
The first conversation
You reach out by phone or through the consultation form, and we set up a time to talk. In that first conversation we listen, ask questions, and form a candid view of your matter, and whether we are the right firm for it.
If we are not the right fit, we say so then and there, and point you toward someone who is.
The engagement letter
Before any work begins, you receive a written engagement letter. It states plainly what we will do, which partner will do it, and how fees will be handled. Nothing starts until you have read it and signed.
The work itself
We do the work carefully and keep you informed as it moves. You hear from us when something happens and when a decision is yours to make, in language that does not require a law degree to understand.
Your questions between updates are welcome. A returned phone call is not an extra service here.
Decisions are yours
We advise; you decide. Whether to settle, sign, file, or wait is always your call, made with our honest read of the options and what each one is likely to cost you in time and money.
Closing the matter
When the work is done, we close the file cleanly: final documents delivered, accounts settled, and a plain summary of where things stand. The door stays open for whatever comes next.
How fees work
Priced the way the matter fits
Different matters call for different arrangements. Whichever applies to yours is spelled out in the engagement letter before work begins.
Flat fees
For matters with a predictable scope, such as a will, a deed, or a simple entity formation, we quote a single flat fee up front. You know the full cost before you agree to it.
Hourly work
For matters that unfold over time, such as litigation or a complex negotiation, we bill by the hour against an agreed rate, with itemized statements so you can see exactly where the time went.
Retainers
Some matters begin with a retainer, an amount paid in advance that we draw against as work is done. Any unused balance is returned to you. The arrangement is described plainly in your engagement letter.
The consultation
The first conversation is about fit, not billing. We will tell you at the outset whether a consultation fee applies to your type of matter, so there is never a surprise on that either.
Every arrangement is confirmed in writing before work begins. You will not find a charge in an invoice that was not agreed to first.
Common questions
Questions we hear often
Does the first consultation obligate me to anything?
No. A consultation is a conversation about your matter and whether we are the right firm to handle it. You are under no obligation to hire us, and no attorney-client relationship forms until a written engagement letter is signed by both sides.
Will I work with the same attorney throughout?
Yes. Your matter is handled by one partner from start to finish. Where a matter touches both partners’ areas, they confer, but you always know who is responsible for your file.
How quickly will you get back to me?
We return calls and messages promptly, typically within one business day. During an active matter you hear from us whenever something happens that you should know about.
What if my matter is not something you handle?
We will tell you at the first conversation and help you find a firm that does. We would rather make an honest referral than take on a matter outside our practice.
How should I prepare for a consultation?
Bring any documents that relate to your matter and a short account of what has happened, in your own words. You do not need to organize it like a lawyer would; that part is our job.
Now you know how it works
The next step is a conversation. Tell us about your matter and we will take it from there.
Or telephone the office: (555) 018-4432