DEMYSTIFYING THE LAWYER
The Consumer Guide
to Navigating the Attorney-Client Relationship
WHAT THIS GUIDE WILL SHOW YOU
How to find a lawyer.
What to ask, and what to look for, when meeting a Lawyer for the first time.
Don't be impressed by lawyer's luxurious offices and crisp suits - your money helps pay for them!
Don't get suckered into paying good money for the lawyer's time spent learning an unfamiliar area of law.
How to examine a Letter of Engagement or Retainer Agreement before engaging the law firm.
What main points and concepts should be covered in a Letter of Engagement or Retainer Agreement.
How to address issues of Legal Billing and avoid "sticker shock."
How to anticipate expenses of legal representation by asking questions ahead of time.
Contingency vs. Non-Contingency Fees.
Experts and Expert Fees.
Terminating the Attorney-Client Relationship.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT THIS GUIDE WILL SHOW YOU ...........................................................................1.
KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL LAWYER-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP ...............................2.
INTRODUCTION: DEMYSTIFYING THE LAWYER ...................................................3.
The High Costs of Complacency .................................................4.
A Brief Note on Finding Attorneys .................................................................................9.
DECONSTRUCTING THE CONSULTATION MEETING
Or, what to look for when meeting a lawyer or law
firm for the first time ...............................................................12.
Who will actually represent me? ................................................16.
Are you familiar with this area of law? ......................................17.
THE ISSUE OF BILLING: ADDRESSING THE GORILLA IN THE ROOM! .....................20.
How will I be billed? ...................................................................22.
Examine the Retainer Agreement and Get all Questions
Answered BEFORE agreeing to hire the lawyer or law firm .................................25.
Ask to Be Regularly and Periodically Notified of All
Activity in the Case, and of the Accumulation of Legal Fees .............34.
A special note about contingency fees ............................................................................37.
Experts and Expert Fees ......................................................................................................42.
Doctors as Witnesses ............................................................................................................45.
The Goal: Anticipating and Budgeting for Legal Expenses ......................................47.
SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................49.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS .........................................................................................................51.
WHAT THIS GUIDE WILL SHOW YOU ...........................................................................1.
KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL LAWYER-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP ...............................2.
INTRODUCTION: DEMYSTIFYING THE LAWYER ...................................................3.
The High Costs of Complacency .................................................4.
A Brief Note on Finding Attorneys .................................................................................9.
DECONSTRUCTING THE CONSULTATION MEETING
Or, what to look for when meeting a lawyer or law
firm for the first time ...............................................................12.
Who will actually represent me? ................................................16.
Are you familiar with this area of law? ......................................17.
THE ISSUE OF BILLING: ADDRESSING THE GORILLA IN THE ROOM! .....................20.
How will I be billed? ...................................................................22.
Examine the Retainer Agreement and Get all Questions
Answered BEFORE agreeing to hire the lawyer or law firm .................................25.
Ask to Be Regularly and Periodically Notified of All
Activity in the Case, and of the Accumulation of Legal Fees .............34.
A special note about contingency fees ............................................................................37.
Experts and Expert Fees ......................................................................................................42.
Doctors as Witnesses ............................................................................................................45.
The Goal: Anticipating and Budgeting for Legal Expenses ......................................47.
SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................49.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS .........................................................................................................51.