Attorneys' Fees, Costs & Expenses

The expense associated with hiring an attorney is often an issue of major concern to a prospective client. Our firm believes in having candid, detailed, written agreements with all of our clients to minimize any confusion surrounding this sensitive area of the attorney-client relationship. We offer several options for retaining our attorneys on terms that suit your individual needs. As a client, knowing about the types of fee arrangements available will help you feel more comfortable as you work through this step in the process of hiring an attorney.

Our fee in a contingency case is calculated by taking a percentage of what you are actually awarded and recover in the case. If we cannot collect money for you, we do not earn any fees, although you will still have to pay expenses incurred on your behalf. The contingency fee percentage varies under the Rules Regulating the Virginia Bar and in some cases Virginia Statutes. Fees are calculated as a percentage of gross recovery before expenses. Contingency fee arrangements are reserved for personal injury cases, accident claims, property damage cases, or other cases where a sufficient amount of money is in contention to justify the firm's risk in taking the case.

Referral Fee

No matter which fee structure we agree upon, the specifics will be provided to you in writing, and you and an attorney with the firm will sign an agreement that clearly shows the fee arrangement.

Payment Options

In addition to a variety of fee arrangements, we offer clients several options for making payments for legal services and costs.

Cash
Check
* Recovery (Contingency cases are paid upon recovery through our firm's trust account.)

Fee-saving Tips

Clients can play a major role in keeping their fees and costs more manageable. Here is a short list of steps you can take to reduce fees throughout your representation.

• Prepare for Meetings - When we ask you to come in and confer with our attorneys, come prepared with all of the necessary information and papers. Think about your circumstances and gather the information your attorney will need. Write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of other people involved in the case. Write down any important events or facts you want us to be aware of. Bring all relevant papers such as contracts, letters, court notices, or leases. The more work you do to prepare this kind of information, the less time we will spend finding it.
• Answer Our Questions Fully - With very few exceptions, everything you tell us as your attorneys - even in consultation - is confidential. Pay close attention to the questions we ask and give complete and honest answers. If you are not sure if something is relevant, ask us. If you share all of the facts with us, you will save us the time spent later on further investigation or misdirected case development. As a general rule, it's better to tell us more than we need to know than less than we need to know.
• Tell Us If Things Change - You are a primary source of information about your case and we act first based on the information you provide. If something happens or if you find out new information which may affect your case, tell us immediately. Changes in your circumstances will likely lead us to change how we handle your case. Telling us as soon as you know will save time and money, and will prevent us from heading in the wrong direction with your case.
• Examine Your Statement - Our firm regularly sends out billing statements to clients that show services rendered and costs incurred. You should examine these statements. Question any items that you do not understand or that are not covered in your fee agreement.
• Tell Us About Your Financial Situation - If you have financial difficulties, discuss the situation with us. We have various payment options under all of our available fee arrangements, and in some cases you may be eligible for pro bono representation with our firm or we can assist you with a referral.