Do you have a family lawyer you can consult before you sign those papers, or take in tenants, or take that agreement to "resign" your job -- or are you waiting for the next crisis to hit? Does your "mom & pop" business now have employees, yet you have never sought the advice of a lawyer who practices workplace law? Well, maybe you can single-handedly start a multi-million dollar company in your basement, put a new engine in your truck, and raise children (the hardest job in the world), but would you operate on yourself, and really read and understand all the fine print? Some things are best left to professionals, and the optimal time to establish a relationship with a lawyer is before the crisis hits. Having an established relationship with legal counsel is that ounce of prevention we all need. Your employer, the government, and the insurance companies all do it -- you deserve the same protection! In general, American law provides that each side pays their own attorney's fees and costs of suit, with the exception being most civil rights and employment statutes, which provide that if you prevail in a lawsuit, the defendants (the parties you sue) will have to pay some or all of your attorney's fees and costs. The court can also order that the other side pay the fees of experts who testify for you at a trial, like an expert medical witness or accountant. Most people are not aware that they can negotiate a fee and payment plan with many lawyers, or that there are different types of fees and costs involved in legal representation. Depending on the nature of the matter, the degree of difficulty, expertise, time, and laws involved, an attorney may be able to charge you an hourly rate, a flat (usually nonrefundable) fee, or a contingent fee (i.e., a percentage of your recovered dollars). Attorney Wallace utilizes all three types of fee arrangements and flexible payment plans, and tries wherever possible to recover the fees from the other side. Attorney Wallace offers reduced attorney's fees for military members and their dependents, and the VA limits the amount of attorney's fees that can be charged in VA benefits claims. "Costs" are expenses other than attorney's fees, like court filing fees, court reporter and deposition transcript charges, service of process fees, copying, trial exhibits, mileage or travel costs, etc. Unfortunately, costs (exclusive of attorney's fees) in a fully-litigated employment discrimination case typically range between five and twenty thousand dollars, and like Attorney Wallace, most lawyers in this area require a retainer be paid at the beginning of the representation to fund the costs; unused portions of a costs retainer are returned to you at the conclusion of the matter. You can often reduce your legal expenses by being complete and organized about the information and records you give to your lawyer, and being brief and to-the-point in most conversations or emails with your attorney; by doing some "legwork" to obtain items like your medical records, making copies yourself, locating witnesses yourself, and negotiating directly with some professionals, like having your own accountant, who may charge you a more reasonable fee than an professional "expert" to provide a calculation of your damages. Finally, you should choose your legal battles wisely. Few people can afford to fight just for the principle of the matter, where, even though you may have a good chance of winning, the chances of a monetary recovery are minimal, perhaps because you simply did not lose very much money, or the conduct, while wrongful or even criminal, was not "outrageous" or "outside all civilized expectations." That is what Attorney Wallace can help you determine. Call or email today to schedule your personal consultation: tel. 860.704.0472 law4us@comcast.net (Warning: email not fully encrypted!) |
Wondering if you might have a case, or need a lawyer? For a free confidential screening* call: 860.704.0472 Or email (warning: not fully encrypted!): law4us@comcast.net *Lawyers cannot provide accurate legal advice for your case without a personal interview and review of all the facts and evidence. A detailed case review and opinion are offered at an affordable charge. ***** Attorney Wallace is licensed in Connecticut since 1990, and practices in all Connecticut trial and appellate courts, boards, and agencies, as well as the federal courts and agencies, including EEOC, MSPB, DOL, VA. |
| Susan V. Wallace ~ Attorney at Law ~ |
| A Connecticut law firm. |
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BE AWARE, that no responsible lawyer promises you will win or get "easy money." Sound legal representation requires diligent work by both lawyer and client in a team effort to zealously pursue the client's interests, while identifying and limiting risk, and always within the bounds of the law, Bar ethics rules, and upholding our system of justice. |
| Legal Ethics Corner |
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