I just got off the phone with someone who wondered why it is so important to have an attorney consultation before deciding whether to hire an attorney.
Quote a Retainer or Estimate Attorney Fees for Attorney Consultation
The best way to get an idea of how much your case will cost is to sit down for an attorney consultation, with an attorney who has years in practice dealing with your kind of case. I generally have a one-hour consultation with a potential client. I use this time to learn as much as I can about the facts of the case, the history of litigation, and the client’s goals. I can then talk with the potential client about their rights and options, and make at least a general game plan for their case. At that point in the attorney consultation I am in a good place to quote a retainer or give a rough estimate on my fees for the work.
In most cases it’s just not possible (or wise) to get an instant quote over the phone on a retainer or attorneys fees.
Finding the Right Match of Attorney and Client
Hiring the right attorney is one of the most important factors in whether your case will be successful or not. For the attorney, it is just as important that I have the right client. If we’re not a good match, whether because we don’t get along well or the client sets goals I can’t hope to achieve, it’s important to know that up front.
Learning About Rights and Options at an Attorney Consultation
An attorney consultation is one of the best, quickest, and cheapest ways for you to learn about your rights and options. Unlike many attorneys out there, I don’t just sit in my chair and spout off on how great I am then demand a huge retainer. We’re going to have a deep conversation about the facts of your case and how they interact with your rights and the various options that are open to you. At the end of our attorney consultation, whether you hire me or not, you’ll know a lot more about your case, rights and options than when we began talking.
Minimal Cost
I do charge for my attorney consultation, generally only $250 (my associates often charge only $95). I’m taking an hour out of my day, time that I could be spending working for other clients. I’m also going to wind up providing you with a lot of information about your rights and options. If you hire me to represent you, it’s an hour that I won’t have to spend learning about your case then. All in all, it’s only fair to both of us for me to charge for your consultation with an attorney.