Frequently Asked Questions

Establishing a relationship with an attorney is an important milestone in life. Many legal issues can be addressed with a quick phone consult. Your relationship with an attorney gives you someone that you can call to address issues that come up throughout your life that may have legal ramifications, such as injuries to you or your family, injuries to others for which you may be liable, property issues, family issues, creating wills and trusts, reviewing contracts, employment issues, business issues and other important decisions. Often a phone call or a quick office consult will save you money by addressing issues before you take action. Preventative law can save you money in the long run. Having your own personal attorney can help connect you with the best attorneys in areas of law with unique or difficult issues. If you have an established relationship with an attorney you are more likely to get prompt advice than if you have to look for an attorney each time you think you need legal advice. An attorney with full understanding of your entire circumstances and goals allows development of an overall problem solving approach to legal issues.

No, you should not share confidential information until the attorney client relationship is established. Before an attorney relationship is established our firm conducts a conflict check to make sure we are not already attorneys for other parties in the dispute. Until there is an understanding from our firm that we are meeting to provide legal advice, do not share confidential information.

Statutes of limitation are time periods established that limit the period of time during which you may enforce your legal rights. If you do not start a legal action before the statute of limitations has expired, you cannot pursue your rights. Different types of claims have different limitation periods. Administrative limitation periods can be as short as 30 days. Most personal injury claims have a three-year statute of limitation, but there are special limitation periods for medical malpractice and sexual molestation. Assault and defamation claims have two-year limitation periods. There are many things that impact when the limitation period starts to run. It is best to promptly seek legal advice so you do not lose your right to enforce your claims in court. Each State has different limitation periods.

For an attorney to properly represent you it is necessary for the attorney to know all of the true facts relating to the matter. The attorney client privilege is to permit full disclosure so that the client can be properly advised and the best legal strategy can be determined.

The most common is the hourly fee agreement. The client pays a set hourly rate for all time spent working on their legal matter. Some matters may be subject to a flat fee agreement. In a flat fee agreement the lawyer and the client agree to a set amount to perform a legal service. Some matters are on a contingent fee where the attorneys' fees are based upon a percentage of recovery in the matter. Some companies or individuals keep an attorney on retainer by paying a regular monthly amount to cover issues as they arise. Our firm uses written fee agreements specifying the how you will be billed for our services and your responsibility for costs.

Hiring an attorney provides a buffer between you and any adverse party. The attorney knows the risks in different areas of law. When you speak directly with an opposing party, their attorney or their insurance claims adjuster you may make statements that undercut your legal arguments or that may be misinterpreted and used against you. Communicating through your attorney can help insure your communications are appropriate? Studies have shown higher awards for clients represented by attorneys than persons acting alone.

Attorneys have many years of experience dealing with a variety of legal issues. The attorneys' knowledge, education and experience can guide you so you do not take actions that jeopardize your legal rights and the attorney can counsel you on how to avoid certain legal problems you are likely to encounter. Often times your early work with an attorney can help you to gather and preserve necessary evidence to support your legal position.

In fairness to other clients, it is our general policy not to interrupt a client conference for incoming calls. If you cannot speak directly with your attorney it is important that you leave a message relating what you wish to speak to your attorney about. That way the attorney may have the information necessary to respond to your call when your call is returned. Lengthy trials and depositions for other clients sometimes require an attorney to be away from the office for substantial periods of time. If the attorney is not available when you call, the attorney will conscientiously attempt to return your call later the same day or the following day. On other occasions, you may not be available when the attorney attempts to return your call. If you are unable to contact your attorney for any reason by the following day, please call our office and establish a set time for a phone consult so we have an opportunity to discuss your concerns.

Members of our firm are approved to practice before all of the state courts in Washington including, District Courts, Municipal Courts, Superior Courts, Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court. We are also approved to appear in the federal courts for this district including the Federal District Courts for both the Western and Eastern District of Washington; the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Our firm has handled many appeals in both the State and Federal Court System resulting in significant legal rulings. See our Reported Cases & News page for a sampling of cases.” 

Federal Way; Kitsap County; Lewis County; Mason County; Pierce County; Puyallup, WA (Metro); Seattle, WA (Metro); Snohomish County, WA (Metro); South King, WA (Metro); Tacoma, WA (Metro); and Thurston County.

• B & B Automotive
• Bryant Motors
• Camelot Court Adult Family Home
• Dennis Gray Trucking, Inc.
• Elk's Allenmore Golf Course
• Lewis County Sheriff's Office
• Lindquist Dental Center for Children
• Pierce County
• Pierce County Assessor's Office
• Pierce County Library System
• Pierce County Sheriff's Office
• Power Glass
• SuperValu International
• Tacoma YWCA
• The Ashley House
• Thompson Electrical Constructors, Inc.
• U.S. Sheetmetal
• United States Liability Insurance
• WagonMaster (Washington), Inc.