Maybe, maybe not. I am a sole practitioner working with a small support staff which means that, as a client of the law firm, all your legal work will be performed by an attorney rather than handed off to paralegals or legal assistants or pushed down to junior associates as the larger law firms do, but this also means that you may occasionally call the office and find me unable to immediately speak with you (although clients will receive my cell phone number, to use for urgent matters). Rest assured, I have made a commitment to my clients: I will ALWAYS return phone calls within a few hours. This single decisive action in commiting to providing superior customer service to my clients will separate my firm from client's prior experiences with law firms. I encourage you to call me and see for yourself.
While not required, most clients choose to conduct business with us via the more time-efficient methods of phone, fax, and email, which helps keep costs down for everyone. While this may require a certain amount of "sacrifice" versus a large law firm, the time and energy I will devote to YOUR case will largely make up for the service and full-time support staff at a large law firm where inevitably good people wind up getting lost in the shuffle.
Finally, the firm's practice is civil in nature (that is, no criminal law work); see the Practice Areas offered page of this Web site for more information. If the legal services you require aren't listed there, or you aren't sure if we're a good fit, please contact me anyway -- I am often able to provide a referral or point you in the right direction. When appropriate, I associate with other attorneys and law firms to meet clients' legal needs.
Do I need to come into your office and meet you in person to retain you, or to receive legal services?
In almost all instances, no. The vast majority of matters can be handled entirely via telephone, fax, email, and "snail" mail. However, I always like to meet my clients before agreeing to provide representation. In certain instances, I can often arrange to meet you at a mutually convenient time and location such as your office, home, or a restaurant / coffee shop or colleague's office in your Orange, Seminole, Volusia County area neighborhood.
Do I really need a Lawyer?
This is the first question you should ask yourself. In some cases you can handle the problem without hiring a lawyer. 'However, if the situation involves a major problem like being slapped with a lawsuit or charged with a crime you probably need a lawyer.
What kind of Lawyer do I need?
A lot of lawyers specialize in one area of the law. My practice focuses on one distinct area of the law. This specialization allows me to study and constantly research and stay up to date with my particular area of the law. In fact, all attorneys have an obligation to keep up with changes in the law. Make sure to ask your attorney whether he or she specializes in an area of law before you decide to hire them.
How much do lawyers charge?
Attorney fees can cost a pretty penny depending on what type of case you have and how much time an attorney will spend on your case. There are several different types of fee arrangements including hourly, flat fees and contingent fees. Hourly fees are calculated by multiplying the amount of hours an attorney works on your case by the attorney's hourly rate. Contingent fees are fees that allow the attorney to receive a certain agreed upon percentage of any judgment amounts received by you. A fixed rate places a set price for the services an attorney will provide to you. Attorney fees are usually calculated without including court costs and filing fees that are usually paid up front by the client. Always ask potential attorneys to explain their fees and billing practices prior to engaging their services.
