How much does it cost to visit with a lawyer the first time?

If you are calling regarding a lawsuit or family law matter, the first consultation is always free. Just call our office and speak with one of our staff to set up an appointment. They will take information from you about your case, and may send you a questionnaire to fill out prior to your meeting.

If you have a business case, or simply need advice on a legal matter, we charge $75 for the initial consultation, which in many cases provides clients with all the help they need.

How much will it cost to have one of your lawyers represent me in my case?

If we will be representing you as the plaintiff in a lawsuit, normally you would hire us on a contingent fee basis-meaning that you pay us nothing until the case is over, and then pay us a percentage of what we recover for you. If we are not able to recover anything for you, then you owe us nothing. Either way, you would pay us nothing out of your pocket for our services.

If you are hiring us on a business, contract or personal matter other than as a plaintiff in a contingent fee case, we are paid on an hourly basis, plus whatever costs we incur for you. Since every case is different, it is very difficult to give a general answer to the question "what will this cost?" that would fit every case. Give us a call to discuss your legal problem, and we can give you a good estimate of the kind of expense that will be involved.

What do your charge just to look over a contract, or answer a few questions about a personal legal issue?

Almost always less than you would expect. Because we have so much experience, normally we can answer your questions or do routine legal work pretty quickly and cheaply. It never makes sense to just "guess" about your legal rights or the meaning of a contract. Some of the most costly decisions imaginable have been made because someone thought they would "save" money by not consulting a lawyer.

I'm not sure if I even need a lawyer. How do I find out?

Ask us. If you don't need a lawyer, we'll tell you. We know that many times the best advice for any client might be not to file a suit, or not to sign a contract, or not to pursue a claim or a business deal. We won't waste our time or your money on something that shouldn't be done in the first place.

What is Board Certification?

Less than 3% of Texas attorneys can claim board certification in Personal Injury Trial Law by the State Bar of Texas' Board of Legal Specialization.

To even be considered for the honor of board certification, an attorney must have been in practice at least five years, must have handled many jury trials dealing with matters such as vehicle accidents, premises liability, products liability or other claims which involve an injury to a person. The attorney must also have extensive knowledge of the law of evidence, procedure, and other substantive law involved in the trial of personal injury cases.

More than that, an attorney who seeks the honor of board certification must be recommended by other attorneys-attorneys who have actually worked with him-- as well as judges who have actually seen him represent clients in trial. These recommendations are collected by the State Bar of Texas in secret: the attorney who seeks to be certified never sees what other lawyers and judges have to say about him.

Finally, the attorney must take and pass a specialized and difficult day long examination.

Small wonder that so few attorneys are board certified. It takes hard won, extensive experience that few have. It takes proven, specialized knowledge. It takes the respect of your opponents and of judges who have seen your work and the results you get. So look at lawyer ads carefully. You'll be surprised that the lawyers with the biggest ads and the ones that scream the loudest on TV, calling themselves the "toughest" actually can't claim the experience that really matters.

Any lawyer can give himself a catchy nickname. Very few can say that the State Bar of Texas calls them "Board Certified".

Want to know more? See the Texas Board of Legal Specialization website at Want to know more? See the Texas Board of Legal Specialization website at www.tbls.org