Since a lawyer offers advice and expertise, attorneys bill their clients for time expended on an hourly basis. The time an attorney spends representing the client is simultaneously recorded and billed to the client monthly. Those fees plus out of pocket costs such as sheriff fees and filing fees are deducted from the retainer, which is a sum of money given to the attorney at the time the attorney is retained. The retainer is deposited into an escrow account called an IOLTA account, which contains the client funds which are kept separate from the attorney's personal or office funds. All of the time spent with regards to a case is included in that bill, including telephone conferences, travel to and from court, office consultations, research, file review and courtroom appearances.
The time spent for the initial consultation is included in a bill when and if the attorney accepts the case and the client accepts the attorney as a representative. Additionally, if the initial consultation is for a second opinion on an ongoing matter or for a legal opinion regarding a case, then that consultation generates a bill whether or not further services are required. In most other respects, if after the initial consultation, the attorney chooses not to accept the case or the client does not retain the attorney, generally that consultation is a courtesy of the office. However, should the client turn later and engage the attorney, then that initial consultation is included in the billing.
Time expended on a matter is recorded in one tenth of an hour, or six minute increments and the bills are sent to the client monthly. In addition to ordinary forms of payment, this office accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover for the convenience of the client.