The Process

What to Expect

From first contact to engaged client. No surprises.

Five Steps

How an engagement begins and develops.

01
First Contact

Call, email, or use the contact form. A real person answers the phone 24/7. The firm will respond to all inquiries within 48 business hours.

02
Initial Consultation

A thirty-minute conversation at no charge. The firm listens to the business situation first, then assesses the legal dimensions. By the end of this call, the client will have an honest read on where things stand, what the options are, and what a realistic path forward looks like.

03
Clear Recommendation

After the consultation, the firm will provide a written summary of the assessment and a clear recommendation on the path forward. If there is not a fit, if the matter is outside the practice or the firm is not the right counsel for it, that will be communicated directly and, where possible, a referral will be made to someone who is.

04
Engagement

Upon engagement, the client receives a clear engagement letter specifying scope, fee structure, and communication expectations. Fees are quoted up front where the work is predictable. For hourly matters, the rate is established before any work begins with regular billing updates, never an invoice that comes as a surprise.

05
Ongoing Communication

Prompt response commitment on all client communications. For active matters, regular status updates are provided without the client having to ask. For general counsel clients, quarterly check-ins to review anything that may have changed in the business or legal environment. Clients do not need to chase their lawyer for information.

Fee Structure
Hourly
Litigation, disputes, regulatory matters, and ongoing advisory work. Rate quoted before any work begins, with regular billing updates so there are no surprises.
Flat Fee
Defined transactional work where the scope is predictable: entity formations, operating agreements, buy-sell agreements, contract drafting and review, and commercial real estate closings. Fee quoted up front before engagement.
General Counsel Retainer
Monthly retainer for businesses that need ongoing legal access without the overhead of in-house counsel. Tiered based on anticipated volume, with quarterly check-ins to review the business and legal landscape.
Technology & Access
  • Real people answering the phone 24/7
  • Response within 48 business hours on all inquiries
  • Secure client portal via Clio
  • Electronic signature for all documents
  • Video conferencing available for all consultations
  • In-person meetings available by appointment at our offices or at your place of business

Contact Us

Submit a consultation form to discuss your matter and begin a conversation with Scates Law.

Schedule a Consultation

Submitting a consultation form or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.