Fees

I understand the financial burden that legal services represent to the average person. My mission at this point in my career is to help people and to serve the cause of those famous words in our Pledge of Allegiance: “liberty and justice for all.”

I don’t have an expensive office, staff, advertising or other overhead, but I don’t have the luxury of practicing law for free. Like other professionals, I must pay for my license, my professional liability insurance, and the tools of my trade.

I adjust my fees based on a number of factors. The factors include, among other things, the nature and complexity of the case, whether work on a client’s case will demand immediate action or prevent me from accepting another matter or client, whether there is a possibility of an expeditious settlement (which I often recommend, if possible), whether the matter presents an opportunity to develop new law, whether the client is able to develop or organize documents and other evidence, whether the client is a member of a labor or trade organization whose members and mission I support, whether travel is necessary, and whether my scope of services can be responsibly and ethically limited.

Regardless of the amount of the fee, I will provide you with a written fee agreement that spells out my hourly rate and the other financial terms, including
how much is paid up front. When I earn the fees you agreed to pay, I will provide you with a written bill that describes the work that I performed, when I performed that work and how much time it took.

I offer a range of payment options, including payment by credit card and other forms of electronic payment. I maintain a trust account and all of your pre-paid fees are deposited in that trust account separate from my own funds and remain in that trust account until I have earned those fees, you have received a bill, and you have approved payment. At the end of the case, I return all unearned fees.

I offer all clients a secure client portal which allows you to send and receive communications, including documents, when it is convenient to you. You will have 24-hour-a-day access to your client file, and I monitor my electronic mail, text messages and voicemail throughout the day, including weekends. You can learn more about the client portal here: Client Portal Guide