New Business Client Intake and Consult Process

If you are considering reaching out to us, it may be the first time you have contacted a law firm. Even if it isn't, everyone does things a little differently, so we wanted to give you some idea of how our intake process works, and what to expect when you contact the firm.

The Initial Phone Call

When you first reach out, you will speak to a member of our team by phone. This may be the person who answers when you call, or a call back you receive after filling out a web form or scheduling a free information call. Their job is to find out a little more about your situation, and if it is something we can help you with, get you scheduled for the next step, which is a free consultation.

If the issue you are facing is not one that we handle, our team members have access to a list of other professionals that we know, like and trust, and are happy to provide a referral if we have one that is appropriate to your needs.

Your Free Consultation

The next step is a meeting with one of our consultants to go over your goals, how we might be able to help you achieve those goals, and review your options. Our consultants work closely with our attorneys, both before and after your initial consultation. If you decide to hire the firm, they will be involved in ensuring a smooth transition to your assigned attorney.

We primarily do these consultations by zoom conference, which our clients have found much more convenient and efficient than in-person meetings. If you prefer an in-person meeting, however, or to do it by telephone, we can certainly arrange that.

There is no charge for this meeting, and you will never be billed for any fees unless and until you agree to hire the firm and agree to the applicable fees.

Your Attorney Assignment

Usually the next business day after you retain the firm, you will be assigned an attorney for your matter. We do this at our daily morning huddles, where the attorneys are briefed on the details of your matter, and we decide who is the most appropriate attorney for your needs. You should hear from your attorney within a few days, sooner if there is a pending deadline or other urgency to the matter.

Your attorney will be supported in the beginning by your consultant, and afterward by our entire support team.

Call (781) 784-2322

Questions About Our Process?

Feel free to give us a call at (781) 784-2322. You can also use the button below to see some frequently asked questions about the free initial business law consultation.

Business Law Consult FAQs

Meet Our Business Attorneys

Emily Smith-Lee is the owner and founder of slnlaw. She is a 1996 graduate of Boston College Law School. She was previously a partner at the Boston office of a large international firm, where she worked for thirteen years with a focus on business litigation. In 2009, she started the firm that since became slnlaw, and has grown it from a solo practice to a five-attorney firm with multiple practice areas. She has been recognized as Massachusetts Superlawyer each year since 2013, and in 2018 earned recognition as one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's Lawyers of the Year. She has written a book on employment law: Rules of the Road, What You Need to Know About Employment Laws in Massachusetts, and helped hundreds of small business owners with contracts, business transactions, employment law advice, business incorporation, and risk management. She has also litigated business disputes in state and federal courts.

Rebecca Rogers: Rebecca is a 2006 graduate of Boston College Law School, and has worked with slnlaw since 2013. She previously worked as an intellectual property litigation attorney for Fish & Richardson in Boston, Massachusetts, and clerked for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Rebecca has helped clients with business contracts, employment contracts, and employment law advice.

Jenna Ordway: Jenna is a 2013 graduate of Quinnipiac Law School, and also earned an LLM in Taxation from Boston University in 2015. She has been affiliated with slnlaw since 2011, first as a law clerk and then as an attorney. Jenna has been recognized since 2019 as a "Rising Star" by Massachusetts Superlawyers. Jenna has helped many small business owners with business incorporation, contract review, advice and analysis regarding business disputes, employment law advice, and advice to business owners about succession planning as part of their estate plans.

Elijah Bresley: Eli is a 2014 graduate of Seton Hall Law school, and has worked with slnlaw since 2020. He previously worked for a boutique employment law firm outside of Boston, and then for the Labor and Employment department of a large Boston firm. He also spent a year clerking for the judges of the Superior Court in Hartford, Connecticut. Eli has helped our small business clients with employment law advice and defense of employment-related lawsuits in MCAD and state and federal courts.

Sharleen Tinnin: Sharleen is a 2010 graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, and has been with slnlaw since 2023. Prior to joining slnlaw, she worked with King, Tilden, McEttrick & Brink, P.C. on complex civil litigation matters. She previously worked for the United States Department of Justice, and received an "Excellence in Justice" award in 2017. Sharleen has helped clients litigate business disputes in state and federal courts, and advised business owners about succession considerations as part of their estate planning.

Emily Smith-Lee

Rated by Super Lawyers

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Jenna Ordway