Why do I offer free consultations?
Many law offices charge consultation fees for individuals
seeking to have their cases evaluated.
The idea is that the law firm is spending time and resources to evaluate
your case and that they should be compensated for that time. However, I do not share this belief.
An individual should never hire an attorney unless they are
confident in that person or firm to meet their needs. Many times, people pay a consultation fee and
then hire the attorney because they already have an investment in the services
that the attorney is providing; settling for that attorney regardless of their
personal feelings for them. Hiring an
attorney, in most cases, is like taking in a family member and you should be
very comfortable with that person before you sign a retaining agreement. Paying a consultation fee, in my opinion,
clouds that relationship.
Furthermore, an attorney should attempt to answer your
questions as honestly and quickly as possible.
To meet these needs, you must meet the attorney, discuss your case
openly and honestly while the attorney gives honest feedback. If a consultation fee has been paid, the
attorney may feel a compulsion to tell you what you want to hear, take a
designated time period to answer your question, or many times leave potential
clients with a feeling that they have been taken advantage of. There have been many times that I have sat
across the table from a potential client and informed them that there is
nothing that can be done to assist them or I have been able to resolve their
situation within a couple of minutes without any costs to myself or the client. Charging a fee would have left the potential
client feeling like they were ripped off and, frankly, I would agree with them.
Legal services should be open and available to all people
regardless of financial status. Charging
a consultation fee closes off access to legal services for many people.
When you come to my office for a consultation, you will
never pay a consultation fee. You will
come in and sit down with either myself or a member of my staff and have an
opportunity to explain your situation and what you are seeking. I will then evaluate your case, explain the
options as I see them, and outline how I can help you meet your needs. I will
do my very best to make sure that you do not feel pressured to retain my
services unless you feel ready to do so.
Call today to schedule your consultation.
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