Let’s Work Together

The first step in the process is to email our office to set up a consultation. Prior to the initial consultation, there will likely be a request for additional information or documents to help us better understand your legal needs. Those documents should be provided well in advance of the initial consultation to allow our office to be prepared to make the most of the consultation. 

During the initial consultation, the primary topics will be:

1. Your legal issues and any questions our office may have

2. The suitability of our office to help you navigate your legal issues

3. The fee structure for our representation and the expectations surrounding payment.  During the initial consultation, you should be prepared to discuss your goals and expectations for our representation and any facts surrounding your legal issue. 

After the initial consultation, the next step will be for our office to draft a propose and engagement letter. The engagement letter will outline the general structure of the representation, including the scope and the fee structure. You should review the engagement letter in detail, and ask any questions you may have before signing.  The signing of the engagement letter completes the onboarding process. 

We offer a free half-hour consultation to allow us to understand whether we are the right fit for your business or litigation.  Typically, this consultation will set the stage for further communication regarding your matter and set the table for you to understand what fees to expect going forward.  Anything shared during the initial consultation is governed by the attorney-client privilege and will be held in confidence by our office.

Generally, our matters are billed on an hourly basis.  However, at the initial consultation, we can discuss alternative billing arrangements such as flat fee and contingent fees.  Invoices are generally issued monthly depending on the status of your matter.

When you hire Metolius Legal you are hiring an advocate to work for you‚ and to put you in the best position to succeed. You should expect:

• To confer with our office to pinpoint the legal services required and for our office to research and analyze all available facts and legal basis to best represent you. 

• Keep you informed about what is going on in your case and answer your questions.

• Be candid with you about your legal needs, your prospects for success‚ the time it will take‚ and the advisability of alternate paths.

• Keep in confidence anything you say.

• Provide clear and detailed billing statements that help you to understand the services provided.

Upon being retained, we will expect the following from you to provide exceptional legal service: 

• For you to be completely honest about all facts concerning your case‚ especially when the facts may seem unfavorable or inconsequential.

• For you to listen to and be open to taking the advice given.  The attorney-client relationship needs to be collaborative, the best legal advice and strategy will come from collaboration. 

• Understand that no lawyer can guarantee results in a contested matter.

• Be patient and understand that legal matters are rarely quick or “open and shut” cases.  Legal matters will oftentimes move slowly for long stretches.

• Be on time for appointments and not take up an excessive amount of time with visits or phone calls relating to minor details or petty matters.  We bill by the hour, and we don’t want to spend excessive time and resources on matters that will not benefit your case. 

• Be reasonable and communicative regarding your expectations for the fees you want to pay, and the fees you can afford.