The first step you take in retaining an attorney is to have a conference at which the lawyer can listen to the facts, ask questions and begin to understand the nature of the problem.  We charge a flat fee of $150.00 for this initial conference, because it may take two or three hours to fully discuss the details of the case and the laws that apply.
     In the initial conference, you will have an opportunity to describe in detail anything that helps us to understand your problem, and to present whatever documents you may have that relate to the case.  Being able to discuss and review written documents such as employee handbooks, performance evaluations, termination letters, medical documents, pay records and a wide variety of other documents helps us to properly understand and evaluate the case.
     Part of the initial conference is devoted to a discussion of attorney fees and the costs of pursuing whatever legal remedies may be available, and how the expense can be managed.  In many cases a lawsuit may be prohibitively expensive, but sometimes other affordable alternatives may be appropriate.
     A careful evaluation of an employment case requires time, discussion and research.  It cannot be done in a five minute telephone conversation.  While we try to make the process affordable, we also live by the adage that if your case is not worth a modest investment on your part, our time is better spent on clients whose cases are worth the investment.