An attorney should help you work towards a solution -
not become part of the problem. That's why I focus on providing consulting support in mediation cases and I provide mediation to couples interested in resolving disputes out of court.
My goal is to provide professional, personal legal
or mediation services to each of my clients at a reasonable price;
to treat everyone involved in the case on either side
with respect and dignity; and to work to ensure that the
truth does not fall victim to carelessness, intimidation
or improper legal tactics.
I can't and I won't guarantee results for you.
I can only offer to work hard on your case and to do my
best to protect your interests without compromising the
integrity of the law.
I believe that being an attorney and counselor at law
is primarily about being of service to people. It
is not my job to impress you or the opposing party with
my credentials - it is my job to understand both the
legal and personal dimensions of your case and to do my
best to use lawful, cost-effective means to achieve the
goals you set out.
MEDIATION
Mediation is a private and confidential process where a couple works with a neutral third person to help them reach agreement on how to separate property, how to spend time with children, and ongoing financial support. A mediator does not choose sides or choose a winning argument. The primary job of the mediator is to help you reach mutual agreement. The purpose of mediation is not to force someone to accept a quick settlement because it is cheaper:
both of you should be willing to bring your real concerns to the table and to make concessions. If you don't work things out during mediation, your agreement may not prevent disputes later.
In mediation cases, I will have both of you complete a background information form before the first session. Once I receive the form from each of you I will schedule an initial 90 minute session. There is no commitment to continue mediation - the fee for each session is paid at the time it occurs. The fee for the initial mediation appointment is $250. Later sessions cost $225 for one hour, or $337.50 for 90 minutes each.
Evening and weekend appointments are available. Payments can be made using check or any major credit card.
LITIGATION
Litigation
In litigation cases, I will meet with you in person or speak to you over the phone to perform an initial review of your case. There is no obligation to retain me after the initial meeting and I will promptly return any original documents you give me. The initial consultation fee (see below) applies to the first hour of my time spent discussing or researching your case, or following up. Additional time will be billed at my regular hourly rate.
How to make the most of your time
Make a list of the questions you want to ask but also, please be prepared to answer some questions as well. This may mean having access to information.
If your case is already filed in the court, I will need to see the court papers to figure out what is going on with your case. Please don't send me any papers or provide private information to me until I ask you to. I require at least one hour of the initial consultation fee paid before I will review your papers but I will do my best to help you promptly and efficiently.
If your case is not in court yet, we can meet either in person or on the phone. Please see the document checklist for a list of documents that you may want to bring or review before coming.
Even if you bring 20 questions and a trunk full of documents, there is only so much that can be done in two hours - we will not be able to solve all of your problems in that time. My goal is to at least 1) identify the key decisions you will have to make in your case, 2) provide you with an initial legal explanation about those issues, and 3) give you some idea of the cost of my continuing to work on your case.
Please do not send me documents until I request them.
INITIAL
CONSULTATION
I am offering
discounted initial consultations ($175 for the first hour) through September 1, 2010.
Please contact
me to request one.
If you want to meet me at a location other than my
office, travel time and mileage charges may apply.
I will tell you in advance what these charges will
be.
