Billing
In most civil matters brought to recover damages, the firm anticipates that recovery from a defendant will compensate the firm for work. Such matters therefore generally are undertaken on a contingent fee basis. Clients are responsible for litigation costs, (such as sherriff's fees, and court filing fees) but costs generally are deducted from the amount recovered by the firm in the event the client is unable to pay costs as incurred.
Domestic relations matters, matters requiring litigation with child care agencies, and other billable matters, are billed at hourly rates that range from $50 to $350 per hour. The firm opens billable files upon receipt of advanced fees in an amount agreed upon with the client, based upon the complexity of the matter involved and the anticipated needs of the client.
If you would like to schedule an initial consultation, you can contact us by phone at (401) 272-6700, or by e-mail. Please review Obtaining Services for details.
Obtaining Services
If you wish to obtain services, or discuss possible retention of the firm you may contact us by phone at 401.272.6700 or by e-mail. Telephone calls to the firm's general line are picked up 24/7, and messages regarding incoming calls are monitored via electronic mail. Whether you call or e-mail, kindly provide a brief description of the matter for which you are seeking assistance and the time frames you are operating under. Depending on the nature of the inquiry, we will be in touch, either telephonically or by e-mail, to request additional information and discuss scheduling an initial consultation. If the matter is a contingent fee case, there is no charge for initial consultation. If you are inquiring about a matter for which services would normally be billed, the charge for an initial consultation is $100.00. Either way, the purpose of your initial consultation to brief us on the relevant facts, explore your legal options, and answer basic questions about the process, the likely range of outcomes, and range of fees.
You should review the Rhode Island Supreme Court's statement of Client's Rights and Responsibilities, and the firm's billing practices. Both will be discussed at your initial consultation, but are available on-line at the links above.
As time permits, we will be happy to respond to "general" e-mail inquiries BUT - legal advice cannot and should not be supplied to any person who is not a client. The determination as to whether a potential client wants services and whether the firm can provide those services involves determination as to whether there is a conflict, or potential conflict of interest raised by the representation. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to supply detailed facts regarding a legal problem in advance of the firm undertaking the representation, nor is it appropriate to expect "John Doe" legal advice. We do need to know your name, and the name of any adverse parties involved.
