Questions You May Have Before Your Consultation

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Whether you have already scheduled a free consultation with our team, or are thinking about doing so, you may have questions about what to expect and how to move forward.  After all, seeking out an attorney is not something most of our clients have done before they call us.

​We hope these frequently asked questions/concerns will be helpful, and we look forward to seeing you at your appointment!

Who will I be meeting with?

In most cases, you will be meeting with one of our consultants, who specialize in the initial intake and onboarding for new and prospective clients.  Their role is to gather the relevant facts from you, make sure the issue you are facing is one we might be able to help you with, and help you understand your options moving forward.  If you decide to retain the firm, they have a continuing role transitioning your matter to the assigned attorney, so that everyone has the information they need to proceed.

Is there any cost to the consult?

Absolutely not.  There are never any fees due to our firm unless and until you decide to retain our firm and agree on the fees applicable to your case.

Is the information I provide confidential?

Yes- we treat the initial consultation as protected by the attorney-client privilege, even if you do not decide to become a client.  This means, subject to some limited exceptions that have literally never applied in our practice, we are not permitted to share information you give to us outside of the firm without your consent.

What if I don't know how to use Zoom or have limited internet?

No problem- we have found over the last two and a half years that zoom is a real timesaver for clients, and allows us to have the face to face contact we need to serve you the best.  Our staff will also call you before your appointment to see if they can help you log onto the platform.  But there are other alternatives- just let us know if you have a concern.  We can do a phone call, or in most cases arrange for an in-person meeting.

What if I am not sure I need to hire a lawyer?

That is totally fine, and we are happy to meet with you anyway.  Many times there are good reasons to get a lawyer involved that you may not have considered until talking it through.  Other times, you might decide it is not time to retain counsel yet.  In that case, we will do our best to point you toward some useful resources, and we will, of course, always be here if you choose to proceed in the future.

What if I just need the answers to a few simple questions?

We understand that- the truth is, most of these one or two questions turn out to be part of a larger story, and a larger range of options, than you might think.  For example, it is one thing to tell you that retaliation for reporting discrimination is unlawful (it is), but quite another to be able to advise you about whether the facts of your situation would likely support such a claim.

Is it worth having a consultation if my case is not worth very much money?

This is a great question, and it has two answers.  First, this is partly why our consultations are free, so you do not have to make the decision about whether it is worth it to pursue claims before at least finding out your options.  Second, you should know that in some kinds of cases (i.e., discrimination, harassment, or wage and hour violations), if you are successful the other side actually has to compensate you for legal fees or pay them directly.  

What if I am worried about losing my job if I do anything about what is happening to me?

This is something you should discuss with your attorney if you decide to retain the firm, but it is not a concern at the consultation.  Remember, everything is confidential.  Also know that most of our employment engagements begin with an assessment of potential claims by an attorney, which includes conversation with you about the risks and benefits of moving forward.  Our goal is to get you the best outcome possible, whatever that looks like.

Jenna Ordway

Rated by Super Lawyers


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How quickly can I speak to an attorney if I hire the firm?

The short answer is as quickly as the needs of your case require.  Even though the attorneys are not in the consultation itself, we are in daily communication with our consultants, and every morning discuss new cases, assignments, and any imminent deadlines.  Usually you will have your first conversation with your assigned attorney within a few business days, but if there is a need to accelerate that process, we absolutely will.

Can I get information about cost before doing a consultation?

This is always a hard question to answer, because the cost to you is going to depend on the type of matter it is and what help we can offer you.  We can say the following:

• You will never have to pay for the consultation.
• Most of our employee-side employment matters begin with a flat fee assessment, and move to a contingent fee model if we go forward with litigation on your behalf.  The amount of the flat fee usually covers  about 2 hours of attorney time to review your documents and provide the assessment, and can be broken into separate payments if it is a hardship for you.
• If you retain us on an hourly basis, you can expect that your attorney will check in with you before putting in more than a few hours of work on your matter to make sure you understand the strategy and plan and approve any additional time.

Will I have to tell my story all over again to my assigned attorney?

Not at all.  There may be parts the attorney has additional questions about, but be assured they will have notes from your initial consult, and will have discussed your matter with the consultant before calling you.  We understand that it can be stressful, maybe sometimes painful, to talk about whatever it is that brought you to us, and we do our best to share information among our team so that you do not have to repeat yourself, no matter who you speak with first.

We look forward to meeting you!