Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I get in to see an attorney?
We strive to accommodate both new and existing clients in a timely manner. In most cases, a new potential client will be able to meet with an attorney within a week of requesting a consultation. Because of the number of attorneys we have, it is not difficult to schedule a suitable time, even for urgent matters. It is a rare occasion when an appointment would be scheduled further out than one week.

Do you offer free consultations?
Our attorneys do not usually offer free consultations. However, there are some limited cases for which there is no charge. For example, there is normally no charge for a consultation with an attorney regarding a personal injury or wrongful death matter. In general, for other matters, clients should expect to be charged at the attorney’s hourly rate from the time of their first meeting. Our attorneys’ rates vary based on their experience and practice areas, so please contact our office directly for additional information regarding anticipated costs. While initial consultations generally come with a fee, most clients find them to be useful and informative, regardless of whether they end up needing to retain the attorney for further work. At that first meeting, you will be provided with expert advice on your full range of options, customized to your particular legal matter. Our experienced attorneys can provide resources and other information to set you on a path towards the best possible resolution of your unique legal matter.

Where can I go for free or low-cost legal advice?
There are a number of resources available that provide access legal assistance for all. Lane County Legal Aid Office at the Oregon Law Center and Legal Aid Services of Oregon offer multiple means of assistance. The Oregon State Bar (OSB) is another good resource for people looking for help legal matters. The OSB maintains a Lawyer Referral Service program, which offers a low-cost initial consultation. The OSB also offers a Modest Means Program in which attorneys agree to assist clients at a reduced fee.

What are your business hours?
Our downtown Eugene, Oregon office is staffed and phone lines are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Friday, our office is open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. If you reach our office after that time, please leave a voicemail, and we will respond to you.

What can I expect after calling your office?
Your first point of contact will be one of our helpful receptionists. They will either immediately connect you with our intake specialist, or the intake specialist will return your call within one business day. If you submit a “Book a Consultation” request through our website, you can also expect a response within one business day. After the intake specialist connects with you to discuss your legal matter, we will check for conflicts (more on this below). If there is no conflict, we will match you with an expert attorney from our team, and their legal assistant will be in touch with you to schedule your initial consultation.

What is a conflict check?
The Oregon State Bar requires all attorneys to determine whether they may have a conflict of interest (for example, it may be a conflict for us to represents both sides of a transaction or court case) prior to meeting with a new client and proceeding with a new case. This means that we must review our internal records to rule out any potential conflict of interest before the client can meet with the attorney. It also means that we must have sufficient information on all the individuals involved in the legal matter, to be able to confidently determine whether or not a conflict of interest exists. This does not generally cause any delay in scheduling an appointment, and there is no charge to the client for the conflict check. We will typically be able to notify you within the same day to inform you about whether or not a conflict was discovered.

How much does it cost to get a divorce, prepare a will, incorporate my business, etc.?
Our attorneys charge an hourly rate for their services. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on an individual basis. During our initial consultation with you, we will discuss our fees and costs and explain billing procedures. At that time, an attorney may be able to provide a general idea of what to expect in the way of costs. The cost of legal services can be significant, but we are committed to working with you in the most cost-effective manner possible while providing incredible value.

What can I expect at my first meeting with my attorney?
Your first meeting is an opportunity to become acquainted with your attorney and to form the basis for a successful working relationship. This will help you make the important decision about whether or not you want to pursue your legal matter with our firm. It is helpful if you bring along all the information and documents related to your legal matter to the initial consultation. This is also the best time to ask the attorney about expected fees and costs. The attorney will let you know whether a retainer payment will be required and, if so, the amount of retainer needed for work to begin.

What is a contingent fee and how does it work?
A contingent fee means that we will be paid only if we obtain a financial settlement for the client. If we are unable to recover any money in your case, then the client is under no obligation to pay attorney fees. However, if we must pay for costs directly associated with the case (such as investigators, court fees, witness fees, etc.) the client will be responsible for paying those costs. We accept few cases on a contingent fee basis, and the determination of this type of fee arrangement is made on a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of your attorney. Generally, only personal injury or wrongful death cases are accepted on a contingent fee basis, though in some circumstances, we may accept other cases on this basis as well. Please contact our firm directly to find out whether or not your case may be eligible for this arrangement.

Have a question we didn’t answer? We would love to hear from you. Send us an email, and we will get back to you soon!