Case Questions. Please call the office when you have questions or need advice. Do not rely upon advice of family, friends, or others. While well-meaning, they are not trained to give legal advice. Following the advice of someone other than your lawyer may result in complications and make successful management of your case difficult. Avoid comparisons between your case and cases of others. No two cases are the same and such comparisons can lead to unrealistic expectations. As a rule, do not discuss your case with anyone but your lawyer unless you are proceeding pursuant to your lawyer's direction and advice. Discussing with others advice given by your lawyer may limit or negate the attorney-client privilege.

Legal Assistants. We use legal assistants to work on your case and charge their time at a lower hourly rate than that of your lawyer. They can answer many of your questions as the case progresses and will speak directly with your lawyer about questions they cannot answer and will reply to you. This process usually results in quicker replies than when you email or leave phone messages for your lawyer. Emailing or calling for your legal assistant not only will reduce your legal fees but will free your lawyer to focus on more detailed work required in your case.

Telephone Calls. Your lawyer will not accept phone calls, even from other lawyers, while in conference with you. Your lawyer's time is expensive, and your time is valuable. When you are meeting with your lawyer, it would be inappropriate if that meeting were to be interrupted with phone calls from others. Sometimes, lawyers need to work on cases without interruption. If so, they may not accept phone calls. If your lawyer is not available to take your call, ask to speak with your legal assistant who often will be able to assist you. If only your lawyer can help, leave a phone message. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. Please do not call your lawyer at home except in the event of an emergency.

Appointments. The best way to see your lawyer is to call the office and make an appointment. Be sure to write down any questions you have before the appointment. Your lawyer or legal assistant may write or call you to schedule a meeting. This may be necessary to work on your case or prepare for trial. If an appointment is scheduled at a time inconvenient to you, please call the office to reschedule. Please call in calling in advance if you need to cancel an appointment.

Court Appearances. You may need to appear in court for your case. If so, we will give you as much advance notice as possible. Sometimes, the advance notice will be short. Often, however, appearances are scheduled farther in advance than you would prefer. There are many reasons for this, including the need to coordinate the schedules of the court, the parties, and other lawyers. We will do everything possible to conclude your case quickly. Keep in mind, however, that the legal system sometimes proceeds at a slower pace than you might prefer. Scheduled appearances are sometimes canceled or continued with little or no advance warning. Usually, nothing can be done to prevent such cancellations. Your lawyer will also be frustrated and inconvenienced. We will do everything possible to keep this from occurring in your case.

Lawyer Fees. You may have entered into a fee agreement with our firm. It is important that you understand and honor your obligations under that agreement. Please call if you have questions or comments regarding your obligations or invoices you receive.

Record Keeping. YWe will send you copies of most letters and documents prepared or received by us. This allows you to be kept informed and provides you with a permanent record of progress in your case. The copies sent to you by this office are important and should be kept as such.