What to Expect
From first contact to engaged client. No surprises.
Updated
How an engagement begins and develops.
Call, email, or use the contact form. A real person answers the phone 24/7. The firm will respond to all inquiries within two business days.
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.
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.
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.
The firm will respond to client communications within two business days. 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.
- Real people answering the phone 24/7
- Response within two business days 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
How fees work
We bill in one of three ways, depending on the work: hourly for litigation and open-ended matters, a flat fee for defined projects like an entity formation or a single agreement, and a monthly retainer for ongoing outside general counsel work. We agree on which one fits before any work starts, and it goes in a written engagement letter. Litigation usually requires an advance deposit. You get a clear monthly invoice.
Contact Us
Submit a consultation form to discuss your matter and begin a conversation with Scates Law.
Schedule a ConsultationSubmitting a consultation form or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.