What You Can Expect When We Represent You

I strive to provide professional, quality, and cost-effective representation. When I represent you:

• I will listen to you to understand your situation and goals;
• I will be direct and honest with you about your situation, and will tell you in plain English if my legal representation can help achieve your goals;
• I will prepare you to win whether your concerns can be resolved informally or they must be resolved in court; and
• I will work with you to achieve your goals in a cost-effective manner.

Finally, you will be informed what my services will cost before being charged anything. In many cases, flexible payment arrangements (low hourly rates, flat and contingent fees, hybrids, and easy payment plans) can even be tailored to meet your needs.

When you are represented by The Cokley Law Office, you will have an attorney who will view your case as seriously as you do. Contact The Cokley Law Office for an initial consultation at a reduced rate.

How Much Will Legal Representation Cost?

The costs associated with any lawyer's services are the attorney's fees plus costs and expenses for your case. When we represent you we will provide a written agreement (“Engagement Letter”) that sets forth the costs of my services and what costs/expenses you are required to reimburse. While the Engagement Letter controls, this page outlines the typical fee options, which include:

• By the Hour;
• Flat Fee; or
• Retainer Fee

Additionally, this page outlines the typical costs that are to be reimbursed. If you have any questions or comments regarding my fees, please contact Michael Cokley.

Hourly Rate

This is the most common fee arrangement where you are charged for each hour or portion of that hour that an attorney works on your case. This type of fee arrangement is well-suited for most litigation and some transactional work because the amount of time required to resolve the issue is uncertain. Typically, you will be required to provide an initial prepayment (“retainer”) of 30-50% of the estimated total cost. Other costs (e.g. filing fees) are not included in the hourly rate.

Flat Fee

A flat fee means that you will be charged a fixed total fee, including or excluding costs. This type of fee option is generally offered for relatively simple or routine legal issues. The most common flat fee service that I provide is for drafting simple wills or advanced directives.

Please contact Michael Cokley if you are interested in discussing flat fees for other types of representation.

Retainer Fee

A Retainer Fee can be either a pre-payment of an attorney's fee (referred to as a "prepayment" above) or a fee to have the lawyer on-call for up to a set number of hours to handle your legal problems over a period of time. When I refer to a retainer fee in this section, I mean the latter.

A retainer fee is for businesses and individuals who may have legal needs in the near future. Essentially a retainer fee allows you to have an attorney available whenever you have a legal question or problem. Many small businesses prefer this option because it allows you to pick up the phone and call YOUR attorney, without having to enter into a separate representation agreement (or worrying about whether an attorney will take your case). This option also provides certainty of some costs over a period of time.

In a sense, having an attorney on retainer is like hiring general counsel for your company at a fraction of the cost.

Please contact Michael Cokley if you are interested in retainer options.

Costs

The cost of representation is the attorney's fee plus costs and expenses required for your case. Typical costs include:

• Delivery/service of legal documents relating to the case;
• Filing fees and other court costs;
• Deposition, expert witnesses, and consultant costs;
• Photocopying costs, long distance telephone charges, postage and fax costs;
• Legal assistant time; and
• Reasonable travel, out-of town meals, and transportation expenses.