Hiring A Lawyer

• Should I have a written contract?
   
• Am I entitled to ask what my attorney's qualifications are?
   
• Am I charged for telephone calls?
   
• Should I be charged a consultation fee?
   
• Do hourly rates vary among lawyers?
   
• Why should I hire a lawyer when a paralegal service is so much cheaper?
   
• Do lawyers in your firm specialize?
   
• Can attorney's fees be paid over time?
   
• Is everything I say to a lawyer confidential?
   

Should I have a written contract?

In almost all situations you should have a written contract. This spells out the financial relationship you have with your attorney and can be relied upon by both of you in the event there is some disagreement about fees owed.

Am I entitled to ask what my attorney's qualifications are?

By all means, you are entitled to know this information. Your attorney should not hesitate to respond to those questions. You should also feel free to consult other recognized sources such as Martindale Hubbell Lawyer's Directory, which contains ratings of lawyers as recognized by their peers. For example, the rating of AV, which is the rating of this firm, is the highest rating that can be awarded.

Am I charged for telephone calls?

Unless your case is being handled on a contingency fee such as a personal injury case, all cases on which there is hourly billing includes telephone time with the attorney or paralegal.

Should I be charged a consultation fee?

Unless told in advance that there is no such charge, or unless the type of case you have involves a contingent fee (attorney's fee based upon a percentage of the recovery), it is normal to charge a consultation fee which should be explained in advance or at the outset of the meeting. An attorney can only sell his or her time and that includes time involved in consultation fees.

Do hourly rates vary among lawyers?

Hourly rates often vary from lawyer to lawyer even within the same firm. These rates are often determined by years in practice and special expertise.

Why should I hire a lawyer when a paralegal service is so much cheaper?

A paralegal is not a lawyer. He or she does not have three years of specialized legal education and may or may not even be a college graduate. Some paralegals have attended a special paralegal course. Others have not. There is not license required of paralegals. Paralegals cannot appear in court. Paralegals have limited knowledge of the law in any given area and generally do not do legal research to any appreciable extent. A paralegal is not allowed to dispense legal advice and can only assist in filling out forms.

Do lawyers in your firm specialize?

In our firm there are several areas of specialization. Don M. Maciejewski specializes in personal injury from automobile and other accidents, aviation accidents and civil litigation. Elliot Zisser, Nancy N. Nowlis, Barry L. Zisser and Donald E. Brown all specialize in marital and family law. In addition, Barry Zisser does some civil litigation and criminal law. Donald E. Brown also practices criminal law and real estate litigation.

Can attorney's fees be paid over time?

Attorney's fees in non-contention cases are generally due when billed. Customarily, a retainer is charged and time is billed against that retainer. A retainer can be paid in cash, by check, or on a credit card. However, it is the policy of this firm not to finance retainers.

Is everything I say to a lawyer confidential?

Unless a client is about to commit a crime and reveals that to a lawyer, communications between attorney and client are absolutely confidential. An exception would be when third parties sit in on the conference. Otherwise, an absolute privilege attaches to all things said between the client and any one in the lawyer's office.