Let's Take Fifteen Minutes to Discuss Your Issue
Contact me at my mobile phone - 520-841-0835 - to schedule a free fifteen-minute consultation on your California or Federal law issue, during which we can decide whether I am the right lawyer to help with your legal issue. In some cases, I will propose a referral to another lawyer in the appropriate jurisdiction or legal specialty. Depending on my schedule and the urgency of your matter, I schedule appointments for the earliest possible time. If you want to forward me documents or such, let me know, and I'll plan on being at my computer during our appointment.
Philosophy of Service and Fees
My philosophy of service and fees is simple: you should get value for what you pay, and I should only provide services that are of value. I also feel you shouldn't get charged a fee just to hear my voice and have me listen to what kind of case you have. That's what the free fifteen minutes are for - to find out if working together will benefit us both, and to give you some feel for my character and legal aptitude.
After the conclusion of the initial interview, I bill all consultations and all legal services at hourly rates. I do not list my hourly fee here because although you can pay quite a lot more to people considerably less skilled, the actual numbers are between me and my clients. Nevertheless, as the quote attributed to Lincoln on his picture to your right reminds us, it takes a fee to give birth to a lawyer-client relationship, so I always require payment of a retainer in an appropriate amount before I take on a client, and don't take cases on contingency. or for startup equity. I will always send you a written agreement for signature, and representation begins when I have the signed agreement in hand and payment in my account.
Time Estimates for Common IP Legal Services
I've put together a list of legal tasks I've repeatedly performed over the years, with “ballpark estimates” of how long it takes to get them done. Your situation could be much more complicated than what I've done in the past, but if you're average, it'll give you an idea of what kind of expense you're facing.
Trademark and Copyright Registration
Registering intellectual property through the US Patent and Trademark Office and the US Copyright Office is often a wise decision for a business owner, although sometimes it's a waste of money. I'll help you decide whether you should invest the time and money, and handle the filing after you make the decision. An average trademark registration process would take around 5 hours, assuming no work after the initial filing. USPTO filing fees for one class of Goods and Services total $325. An average copyright registration takes about three hours per work. US Copyright registration fees are $40 per work.
Contract Drafting and Revisions
Contracts can make your work valuable and secure your rights, but they can also turn you into a slave whose labor benefits others. You should never be so desperate as to sign an agreement you don't understand. My most successful clients are those who let me guide them carefully in negotiating and revising the wording before the contract is signed.
Drafting Software or Media License for New Product: 10 hours
Reviewing and Revising Software or Media License from Other Party: 4 hours
Drafting Internet Domain Sale Agreement: 8 hours
Drafting LLC Operating Agreement: 5 - 15 hours
Domain Recovery and UDRP Arbitrations
Lost a domain and want it back? Have a domain and want to keep it, despite the threats of high-priced, arrogant trademark lawyers? I'll help you figure out the best course of action, and either provide or retain the best, most efficient lawyer to assert and defend your domain ownership rights.
Representing One Party In UDRP Arbitration: 28 hours
Draft Federal Complaint to Appeal UDRP Result to US District Court: 20 hours
Draft US District Court Domain Name Recovery Complaint: 20 hours
Retain local counsel to represent you in domain litigation: Varies by case, often free
Litigation Consulting
I answer the questions you need answered before you commit major dollars to what may be a money pit. An aggressive, hungry litigator can be the client's worst enemy, especially if they are used to servicing clients with deeper pockets than yours.
Answer the Question: To sue or not to sue?: 4 - 10 hours
Answer the Question: To settle or not to settle?: 4 - 10 hours
Answer the Question: Can the client win, and what will it take?: 4 - 10 hours
Advise During Settlement Negotiations to get the Best Result: 4 - 20 hours
Supervise Trial and Advise Trial Tactics and Strategy: 10 hours per day
Review Your Lawyer's Bills: 5% of the Bill
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