FAQ

No one wants to be in a situation that calls for a lawyer. Some situations make it obvious that you need one, and other times it’s hard to tell. If you’re reading this, you’re probably on the right track, but we don’t expect you to know for sure. That’s why your first consultation is free. Whether you know you need an attorney or you’re unsure, call an attorney who will be committed to your cause.

Yes, in every practice area. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your options, and tell you what representation would cost. There’s no obligation to hire us.

We generally offer three fee arrangements, and we explain which one fits your case before we start.

• Hourly: We bill for attorney time, and the rate may vary by task. We may ask for a retainer, an advance payment held in our trust account and applied as the work is done.
• Flat fee: You pay a set amount for a defined job, regardless of the hours involved. Flat fees are common for straightforward matters such as an expungement or a will.
• Contingency: The fee depends on the result. If you recover money, the firm receives an agreed percentage of the recovery, and if you recover nothing, you owe no attorney fee. In some cases the firm may cover the case expenses. Otherwise, you may be responsible for court costs and case expenses, such as filing fees, deposition costs and expert fees, whether or not you recover anything. Your written fee agreement will say which applies. Missouri does not allow contingent fees for defending a criminal case, or for a divorce or the amount of maintenance, support or a property settlement (Rule 4-1.5(d)).

Please don’t let the cost keep you from calling. We’ll work with you to find an arrangement that fits.

Bring any court papers you’ve received (summons, petition, ticket or bond paperwork), the dates of any upcoming hearings, and documents related to your situation, such as a lease, contract, judgment, account statements or prior court orders. A short list of your questions helps too.

No. Contacting us through this website, by email or by phone does not create an attorney-client relationship. We represent you only after we confirm in writing that we have agreed to take your case. Until then, please don’t send confidential details through the website.

Sí. We offer consultations in Spanish. Hablamos español.

St. Louis City and St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson and Lincoln counties.

We return messages within 24 hours.

You can pay by cash, check, or debit or credit card. To pay by card online, go to our Pay Online page and choose Pay an Invoice or Pay a Retainer. Current clients can also pay through the client portal.