Paid Secondary Consult

Upon reaching the conclusion that a new, prospective client needs an attorney or a more detailed consultation, we will arrange a secondary consultation. The secondary consultation will usually be in person but may be by email, telephone, or video conference. The secondary consultation includes:

• Determining if LOMLR is the appropriate legal resource for the particular matter,
• Attorney Rich and Client getting to know each other,
• Discussing case background,
• Deciding whether the Client and Attorney Rich wish to work together,
• Negotiating the hourly rate and initial and ongoing retainer requirements, and
• Often preliminary advice and discussion of next steps.

The charge for the secondary consultation is $150.00 per hour, $75.00 per half hour. That is lower than the lowest representation rate on LOMLR’s sliding scale fee schedule. (See it here: sliding scale fees.) It gives the prospective client valuable attorney time while discounting for the off-the-cuff nature of the information that will be provided. And it averages out the time spent on substantive discussions with the time spent negotiating financial matters.
It has generally been our experience that secondary consultations in Children’s and Family Law matters take about one and one-half hours. Therefore, the cost will be approximately $225.00; more if detailed file materials are sent in advance or if attorney and client agree that more time is necessary. The first $225.00 of estimated fee is to be paid at the time of the in person consultation and in advance of any telephone, video, or email consultation.
In most cases it will be worthwhile to have the attorney review documents and become familiar with the issues before the secondary consultation. If requested be sure to send the relevant documents to LOMLR in advance of your consultation. You also might find it helpful both in preparation for your consultation and in your preparation of your case to keep a journal, write a chronology, or prepare a summary of the events and contacts with the relevant people involved in your case. If you have done so or can do so in advance of the secondary consultation, send those documents as well. Note that attorney time spent reviewing file documents and narratives in preparation for the secondary or any subsequent consultations will be billed at the secondary consultation rate. Fees for advance preparation must also be paid at the time of the in person consultation or in advance of any telephone, email, or video consultations.
Disclaimers: 1) The secondary consultation is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. LOMLR does not become your attorney except by expressly entering into a representation agreement. 2) Legal opinions provided on the spur of the moment, with limited background information exchanged, and without specific, fact-based research should not be relied upon for non-trivial legal matters. LOMLR urges you to retain Attorney Rich or the attorney(s) to whom he refers you, so that you may have fully researched and considered legal advice, tailored to your situation, and counsel to carry out the representation.