First Time Clients2024-01-30T18:38:47+00:00

FIRST TIME CLIENTS

Knowledge

Over our combined forty-plus years of experience, we have served as legal counsel for thousands of clients in thousands of real estate and construction matters.  Across those decades of service, we have learned a great deal about our area of practice. We have used that experience when representing our clients’ interests, when teaching seminars to members of the industry and when writing for trade journals and legal publications.

We love real estate and construction law.  The nuances and industry-specific laws are something we find immensely interesting.  So learning, even more, is not a task for us; we enjoy it.  That is why we remain at the forefront of lawyers in our practice area.

Knowing the law is important, but so is knowing the right people.  We have made connections with some of the experts and leaders in real estate and construction that matter when searching for a successful resolution.   Whether it be a construction expert that can explain the need to follow certain construction requirements or the real estate appraiser that can testify about the damages in a latent defect case, we know the people you will need.

Connections

However, we also work well with others.  If you have a particular person you want to use in your legal matter, we can accommodate.  We will meet with them and ensure that our efforts are cooperative and lead to the desired result.  We will also review any agreements you have with them and provide the guidance you need to make sure we are all on the same page.

State-of-the-Art Efficiency

One of the advantages of working with a small firm is that we are nimble.  We upgrade our practice methods and technology quickly.  This allows us to lead the way in the courtroom while keeping our overhead, and your bills, low.

Here are just a few examples:

  • Fully electronic file management and storage

  • An industry-leading electronic forms library

  • In-depth online research library

  • Advanced cloud-based case management software

  • Remote video and telephonic meeting capabilities

  • On-line credit card bill payment options

Honest Case Evaluation

We take great pride in our initial case evaluation.  We are honest.  When you hire us, we want you to fully understand the risks and rewards associated with proceeding with your legal matter.

We want you to be fully informed about your case, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • The facts in your favor;

  • The facts that may present hurdles;

  • Our opinion on your chance of success;

  • Our opinion as to what success will actually look like; and

  • Our best estimate on the costs of proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from first-time clients

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What are the options for where and when we can meet?2020-07-26T00:25:20+00:00

In-Person: This is the traditional model.  Typically, we schedule a time between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm for you to visit our office.  The average meeting takes between thirty minutes and an hour.

It is best for only the potential clients to attend so that we can preserve attorney-client privilege.

Our office is conveniently located in the St. Matthews neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky.

Remote Video:  We also offer initial client meetings via Zoom remote video service.  If you are interested in this option, let us know during your initial conversation with one of our attorneys and we will schedule a time and e-mail you the instructions on how to participate.

After Business Hours:  We recognize that not everyone is available during traditional business hours. Accordingly, we do offer after-business-hours remote video meetings.

How do you avoid conflicts of interests?2024-01-18T17:00:05+00:00

At the beginning of the meeting, you should be prepared to name any and all individuals or companies against whom you believe you may have a claim. This will help the attorney ensure that no conflicts of interest exist before you go into detail regarding the case, and ensure that the attorney recognizes the role of any potential party in the litigation and how he/she/it factors into the overall picture.

Immediately after our initial meeting, we circulate that list of names amongst all the attorneys in our firm in order to establish that no conflicts exist.  This can normally be accomplished within three business days. However, we are typically able to ascertain the presence of conflicts in our initial telephone conference.

How should I prepare for the meeting?2020-08-02T18:45:22+00:00

You should prepare a chronological timeline of factual events related to your matter. At the top of this document you should write “to my attorney” so that it is privileged, (i.e. so that the opposing party cannot view it later in the case through the discovery process). This document should be in your own words and should contain any and all communications/conversations, meetings, inspections, relevant events, etc. related to your matter. You should be as inclusive and honest as possible. Do not leave something out because you believe it could be “bad” for your case. Your attorney must be apprised of all relevant facts and is bound, (with minor exceptions related to the anticipated commission of a crime), to keep information in confidence.

Be prepared to discuss potential issues, pitfalls, and/or problematic areas regarding your case. Our job is to advise you based on the facts. Sometimes, it is clear from the first meeting that certain facts may weigh less heavily in your favor. When that is the case, we want to be frank with you and discuss those matters openly.

You should also be prepared to ask questions. We welcome all questions, including questions related to your matter, questions regarding our background and experience, questions regarding anticipated costs and/or pacing of the case and any clarification questions related to items discussed in the meeting.

What should I bring to the meeting?2020-07-26T00:24:16+00:00

You should bring copies of any and all documents in your possession related to the matter. This could include, for example, your sales contract, seller disclosure form, investigative reports, estimates for repair, photographs, receipts, letters or e-mails with the opposing party, etc. If you make print copies in advance, it will save on time during the meeting.

How does the “retainer” work?2023-11-09T19:28:21+00:00

We do require an initial retainer.  The amount depends on the case, but it is generally three-thousand dollars.  Your check will be deposited into our firm’s escrow account and your monies will not be paid to the firm until we have earned them.  After our representation has concluded, any unearned balance will be refunded to you within thirty days.

You should bring your retainer fee check to the initial client meeting. Until we have been retained, (i.e. executed a contract with you and received the retainer fee), we will not commence any significant work on your matter

Will I be required to sign a Legal Services Contract?2020-07-26T00:23:13+00:00

Yes.  This is a requirement.  If you would like to see the Legal Services Contract prior to the initial conference, we will be happy to e-mail you a draft version for your review.  However, receipt of the draft version does not mean you have retained our firm as your legal counsel.

Can your firm guarantee a result?2020-07-26T00:22:53+00:00

No.  A lawyer cannot ethically guarantee a result.

We will represent you to the best of our abilities, but we are unable to guarantee any particular result.

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502-899-5600