Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly will an attorney respond to my phone message or e-mail message?

Every effort is made to respond to a client within 24 hours.

Are my conversations with an attorney confidential?

Attorneys are under an ethical duty to keep confidential the information that a client conveys to the attorney.

What is a free initial consultation?

A free initial consultation usually involves a short office conference with a potential client. Free initial consultations are used primarily for litigation matters, such as divorces, personal-injury claims, and criminal and traffic defense. There are two main purposes of a free initial consultation. It allows the client to determine if he or she would like to work with the attorney. It also allows the client to discover if the case appears to have some merit and is worth pursuing.

What is a retainer?

A retainer is a sum of money that is paid to the attorney at the beginning of the case. In most cases, the retainer is placed in the attorney's trust account. The attorney fees and costs are paid from the retainer. Sometimes the retainer is sufficient to cover all of the fees and costs. If it is insufficient, the client is responsible for paying the difference.