FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
We work on a contingent fee, meaning that the fee is not earned unless we win the case. If we do not win, the contingency is not met and the fee is not due. Once we win, we customarily take 1/3 of the recovery plus costs. That leaves 2/3 of the recovery minus costs for the client. Costs are the money I take out of my pocket to make the case go forward. Of course, if a client wants to pay costs, I allow that. If the case goes to trial, the percentage of contingent fee goes up to 40%. The client is explained the contingent fee and the ramifications regarding their particular case in advance so the client makes the decision of whether to proceed or not.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
The California State Bar requires attorneys to have a threshold level of mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE). I often have four or five times the State Bar requirements and in some topics, ten times the requirement. My office prides itself on keeping up on the latest lien cases and changes in lien law because that is where we can maximize the amount of money our client gets.
- Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
The district attorney refused to disclose documents that my client, a victim of a civil incident, was entitled to under the Public Records Act. We went to court and got the records that we sought, and the county had to pay my attorney's fees. The information helped us prosecute a claim on behalf of my client.