HOW WE WORK
Three engagement models. Pick what fits.
Most small businesses do not need a full-time in-house attorney. They do need consistent access to one. Engagements are structured around how the business actually operates — not how a law firm prefers to bill.
Option one
Monthly retainer
Ongoing access for the recurring legal questions every small business runs into: contract reviews, employee issues, vendor disputes, lease questions, the occasional emergency. Predictable monthly fee, no surprise invoices, direct line to Joel.
Retainers are scoped to the size and complexity of the business. Larger or more legally active businesses pay more; smaller operations pay less. Unused hours typically roll forward within the engagement period.
BEST FOR
Established businesses that need a lawyer on call for the issues that come up across the year — and want to avoid the friction of "should I call about this?"
Option two
Flat-fee project
For defined work with a clear scope — drafting an employee handbook, negotiating a commercial lease, structuring a business sale, reviewing a franchise disclosure document, drafting a buy-sell agreement. You know the cost up front, and so does the firm.
Flat fees work well when the work product is well-defined and the unknowns are small. The firm will sometimes propose a flat fee paired with a small hourly buffer for unanticipated issues.
BEST FOR
A specific matter that needs to get done, with a budget you can plan around.
Option three
Hourly engagement
For one-off matters and litigation where the scope cannot be defined in advance. Straightforward hourly rate, itemized invoices showing the work done, no junior associates running up the bill. Most hourly engagements begin with a retainer applied against time worked.
The firm does not bill for time spent learning the file once. Once a matter is opened, the time it took to come up to speed is not billed again on subsequent calls or related work.
BEST FOR
Litigation, disputes, or matters where the path forward depends on how things develop.
How an engagement starts
Initial conversations are by phone, email, or video to talk through what your are dealing with, what you are trying to accomplish, and whether the firm is the right fit. Some matters are clearly within the firm's wheelhouse. Some are clearly better handled by specialized counsel; in those cases, the firm refers out to attorneys it trusts.
Once both sides agree on scope and engagement model, a written engagement letter is signed. The engagement letter spells out what is covered, what is not covered, how billing works, and how the engagement can be ended by either side. Any required retainer is paid before substantive work begins.
Communication is generally by email, phone, or — for matters with significant document exchange — through a secure file-sharing system. In-person meetings are available by appointment.
On billing. The firm bills monthly. Invoices itemize the work done, the time spent, and the amount due. The firm does not bill for the time it takes to prepare an invoice, and does not bill for short administrative phone calls or emails when those are not substantive.
Clients who have questions about an invoice should ask. Disputes over time entries are rare but not awkward when they happen.