A consultation with an attorney may cause some clients to feel stress, but this is normal for those seeking legal assistance. Often people looking for an attorney are facing serious and important legal issues. Many people looking for help with a legal matter find themselves seeking legal help for the first time. It is wise for those who do not regularly hire or engage attorneys, to understand what to expect from a legal consultation. After all, you are investing time, money, and placing your confidence with a person you are just meeting for the first time.
While most people understand that attorneys are bound to a very high standard of ethics, they may still have concerns about placing their trust in an attorney. They may also be concerned and probably are worried they will pay a lot of money and may not get anything out of the consultation.
I understand that my clients need a competent professional that they can trust. I enjoy personally meeting with all my potential clients and to help them to identify their goals, and then provide them with real options they can consider. I spent a lot of time with my clients so that they can make an informed decision about their legal situation.
My clients have often expressed to me that they feel comforted and relieved after hearing my thoughts and advice about their legal issue.
I strive to help each potential client who consults with me to generally understand the core issues and potential solutions based upon the information that they provide to me. I provide this information regardless of whether they decide to retain me to assist them with their legal matter. A successful consultation should result in the potential client understanding their options, an estimated cost of the different options, and our legal opinion with respect to each option.
RULE: What you tell me is confidential.
You should be prepared to be open, thorough, and honest with me. Be prepared to answer all of the questions posed to you in as much detail as possible.
RULE: Do not try to conceal any information.
Be prepared to divulge all of the information requested (even information that might be difficult to discuss). Do not attempt to convince me that your case is “winnable”. Do not be selective with the information you provide me. I do not make personal judgment about my clients conduct or their actions. You must understand I need to know your situation in detail in order to give you the best legal and practical advice.
RULE: Be an active participant.
I want and need my client’s to actively participate in their own legal matters. You know the facts better than I do. So, write down all of your questions before you come to the consultation. Bring those questions with you.
Fill out all the intake forms requested by my law office as soon as you can prior to your consultation. I will review this in advance if given enough time.
Submit all of the documents in advance that are relevant to your case. If possible, scan all documents to PDF and submit via our secure portal.
Being prompt and on time to your appointment, whether it’s in person, by phone or in a Zoom meeting. If it is by phone, I will call you at your set time. If it is in person, please arrive on time. If the meeting is by zoom, please log into zoom or other online platform that I provide you about 5 minutes before your start time.
Tt is always preferable to email pdf files of your documents to our secure sever. I will provide you the proper links once we have spoken with you.
Immigration Matters:
Family Law Matters:
Wills, Trusts and Estate Matters
Civil Litigation Matters
Attorney’s Fees, Costs and Other Fees
Legal matters involve more than just attorney’s fees. There are filing fees to the court of other administrative body, certification fees, miscellaneous costs, including, copying, faxing, and travel. All these fees and costs will be discussed with you at the consultation.
This is always a difficult issue because there are so many factors that contribute to the time it will take to adequately address your legal needs. The difficulty, the urgency, and the amount of work are some of the most important factors. The only way to give an estimate of the cost of the case is to have a consultation with an attorney who can review your case, ask questions, and identify strategies.
Payment is due before the work is completed. The attorney will give a cost estimate at the consultation and explain any available payment options. We work with Lending USA who can assist you with a legal loan if you qualify.
Depending on the type of case, you may be offered a flat or an hourly fee. If the case work is predictable and clearly definable, as in drafting a will or trust, a flat fee may be quoted. If your case is unpredictable, like immigration court cases or litigation, you may be quoted an advanced retainer amount that you would need to pay in advance. You would be responsible for the legal fees at an hourly rate depending on the amount of time your case will take to complete.
My consultations are designed to be valuable to my potential clients. I give accurate and honest answers to your questions. I have a very diverse background in the law, and I am licensed in 3 states California, Nevada and Idaho. I have over twenty-one years of experience and experience matters. I can offer you real solutions to your problems. I spend a lot time preparing in advance for your case by reviewing any submitted documentation and reviewing your intake submission. My time is limited, and I want to be able to effectively help not only my current clients, but also potential new clients. My time, like yours is valuable and I place a value on both. When you finish your consultation, you should have all your questions addressed and wherever possible you will be presented with legal options. These complex areas of law require a vast amount of experience and knowledge in order to assess properly, and I am proud to offer this valuable service to those who pay for a consultation. Most of those who come in for consultations are very satisfied with the experience and engage me to represent them.
My consultations are designed to be valuable to my potential clients. I give accurate and honest answers to your questions. I have a very diverse background in the law, and I am licensed in 3 states California, Nevada and Idaho. I have over twenty-one years of experience and experience matters. I can offer you real solutions to your problems. I spend a lot time preparing in advance for your case by reviewing any submitted documentation and reviewing your intake submission. My time is limited, and I want to be able to effectively help not only my current clients, but also potential new clients. My time, like yours is valuable and I place a value on both. When you finish your consultation, you should have all your questions addressed and wherever possible you will be presented with legal options. These complex areas of law require a vast amount of experience and knowledge in order to assess properly, and I am proud to offer this valuable service to those who pay for a consultation. Most of those who come in for consultations are very satisfied with the experience and engage me to represent them.
I will clearly present you your options. If you decide to hire my firm, you will need to sign a written agreement to begin your representation.
I will not be able to read through voluminous records. I am experienced and can likely quickly identify the relevant documents in a group of files. However, the consultation does not include time consuming, detailed review of documents. So please submit documents in advance of the consultation to give me time to review them.
I will not review forms you have produced and give them “a stamp of approval” for you to file them on your own. If I have not prepared the forms, I cannot be responsible for the content of the forms.
I may not be able to offer you the solution you would like. You have to be ready for the reality that sometimes there are simply no good options. My value lies in my experience based and honest opinion. I will give you my honest advice even if that means you do not have a good option to pursue.
I am not obligated to accept your case, even if you pay for a consultation. I may have a conflict, may not have time in the schedule, or may not feel that I am the right fit to pursue your particular case.
Respectfully,
Ronald W. Brilliant
Attorney at law
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