The questions that come up most often on the first consultation call. If yours isn't here, call and ask.
Nothing. The first consultation is free and confidential. Whether you retain the firm or not, everything you say from the moment you call is protected by attorney-client privilege.
Employment and personal injury cases are handled on contingency. That means no fee unless we recover for you. The percentage is set in the retainer agreement upfront. Costs of investigation, expert witnesses, and litigation are advanced by the firm and reimbursed from the recovery.
Criminal defense cases are handled on a defined-scope basis with a written fee agreement set in advance. Fees depend on the charge, the complexity of the case, and whether the matter is likely to resolve at arraignment, at plea, or through trial.
Calls during business hours are answered by a person, and if John is available, you talk to him directly on the first call. After-hours calls are returned the same business day.
Yes. Se habla español.
The firm's office is at 7121 Magnolia Ave M, Riverside, California 92504. Consultations can happen in person at the Riverside office, by phone, or via encrypted video conference. In-home consultations are arranged for clients who cannot travel due to injury.
It varies. Many employment cases resolve at mediation within six to twelve months of the demand letter. Cases that go through discovery and settle before trial can take twelve to eighteen months. Cases that try can take two years or more. During the free consultation, John will give you an honest read on your case's likely trajectory.
Personal injury timelines depend heavily on the client's medical treatment. In general, we wait until treatment is complete (or the client has reached maximum medical improvement) before finalizing the demand. From medical completion, most cases resolve within six to twelve months.
You can change lawyers. The mechanics vary by case type and by stage — the outgoing lawyer may have a lien for work performed. Call and we will walk you through the process for your specific situation.
Yes. The firm regularly handles cases throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, and greater Southern California. If your case is a fit, geography is usually workable.
Employment cases often live on the documents. Personnel files, email chains, text messages, Slack messages, HR records, and pay stubs frequently carry the case even without live witnesses. Bring everything you have to the consultation.
Then we send a preservation letter to your employer or the opposing party immediately, and request the documents through the formal process. Documents that exist in the other side's files come out in discovery.
No case is too complicated to explain in five minutes. Call and speak with John directly — the line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Consultations are confidential and covered by attorney-client privilege from the first sentence.
