What does The Clinebell Law Firm offer its clients?

Our commitment to you as a valued client is that we will faithfully pursue your goals according to the following standards: (1) To provide excellence and service in the practice of law, based upon our over 30 years of experience; (2) To keep you informed, through frequent updates on the progress of your matter via e-mail and telephone or, if you prefer, in person; (3) To return all telephone calls and e-mail communication promptly; (4) To provide written fee agreements and estimates of fees and costs; (5) To protect and defend wisely and aggressively your interests; (6) To provide wise and compassionate counsel, with a careful understanding of your needs and interests.

During my representation, will I be able to contact timely my lawyer at The Clinebell Law Firm?

Communication with your lawyer and a comfort level with your lawyer are absolutely critical to the attorney-client relationship. If you are in litigation, you will have questions and concerns -- some of which may come up after hours. If you are a "transactional" client, you also will have questions and concerns -- and time-sensitive issues to discuss.

Our commitment to you as our valued client will include timely and easy access to and communication with your lawyer. Clients who retain the firm receive a mobile phone number -- providing direct access and communication with the lawyer primarily responsible for the matter.

In a litigation matter, will a fee deposit be required?

Litigation attorneys who know what they are doing and understand the process always require an initial deposit toward attorney fees, and often several deposits thereafter through the life of the case. The deposits, which amount to credit balances, are paid by the client to the firm trust account; with payments made from the trust account after presentation of monthly invoice. If the case or the representation ends and the client has a credit balance on account, that balance is refunded immediately.

There are several reasons for such deposits. First, there is always a flurry of activity at the beginning of a case, requiring substantial time and energy devoted to the matter.

Second, once an attorney appears as attorney "of record", he or she can only withdraw with either client permission or after a "motion" to withdraw made to the Court -- requiring both written papers and a personal appearance at the Courthouse.

Third, the litigation process can be expensive and, to some extent, unpredictable. The cost is in part dictated by the activity or inactivity of the opposing side. For example, an opposing side that conducts a lot of discovery (e.g. depositions, document requests, interrogatories, requests for admission) will force the expenditure of fees that, generally, are impossible to avoid.

For all of these reasons, a minimum deposit, before work begins, is required. Remember that the deposit is an advance toward attorney fees -- not a fixed fee or estimate of total fees. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. We work with our clients to make the necessary fees affordable; including splitting up the time of payment of minimum retainer, payments over time, and on occasion a fixed or capped fee.