Many of my clients have used the services of an attorney before. Some have not. Both types of clients have commented that it is hard to know how to find a good attorney. That may be because so many attorneys market themselves as the cheapest alternative, guarantee results or make other impossible promises. In initial conversations with clients I often hear something like "I'm not sure how this works..."
My approach to practicing law is different than many other attorneys:
I am not the least expensive attorney. Rather, my hourly and flat rates reflect both my legal expertise and the high level of client service that I offer. My fees are fair, but they are not cheap. The important issues of my clients demand superior levels of expertise and service, and neither come without a price.
I strive to provide cost-effective representation. I explore all avenues to resolve legal issues, especially including those that are non-litigation in nature. I try to determine exactly what my clients want, and then proceed with whatever is necessary and in my experience will be effective in satisfying that want, or if necessary, to help my clients clearly identify what their desired outcome is if different that their initial want. I do not "churn" or "grind" for the purposes of increasing fees. Every minute of work that I bill my clients is both necessary and accounted for in detail.
I never guarantee results. I have won cases I thought I should lose, and I have lost cases I thought I should have won. Instead, I provide clients with what I think are the best and worst case scenarios for their legal problem, and then move forward accordingly. I take on the role of a risk manager and help clients make decisions based on principles of risk management.
I provide advice that is often unexpected. I convince as many potential clients that they do not have a case...or that they have no valid defense...as I convince clients in the alternative. The same is true with potential bankruptcy debtors; sometimes the best alternative is to not file for bankruptcy.
When you call my office you always talk directly with me, not an assistant, paralegal, associate or receptionist. I always answer my phone unless on a call with someone else, or in court, or in a meeting with someone else. I do my best to return phone calls and respond to emails the same day. Because some situations call for thinking, research or action before response, and because of daily demands, I am not always successful in a same-day response to client calls and e-mails. By the next day, however, you will have heard from me. Communication in the attorney-client relationship is of paramount importance. Nothing is more frustrating than lack of response to calls and e-mails. In fact, surveys have shown that failure to return calls by an attorney is the number one complaint of clients.
I will take cases to trial. Though many legal issues can be resolved to some level of satisfaction without a trial, some cannot. If your problem requires a trial, I will take your case to trial.
