Table of Contents
- Purpose of the Free Initial Legal Consultation
- Length of the Free Initial Legal Consultation
- Confidentiality
- What to Bring to the Consultation
- Will You Receive Legal Advice During the Free Initial Legal Consultation?
- Assessing the Strength of Your Case
- Key Questions to Expect
- No Obligation to Hire
- Discussing Fees and Payment Structure
- Potential Outcomes of the Consultation
- How We Communicate After the Consultation
- Explanation of the Legal Process
- Client Expectations After the Consultation
- Conclusion
- Purpose of the Free Initial Legal Consultation
The free initial legal consultation is an opportunity for you to share the details of your case, explain how your employer wronged you, and discuss any potential damages. The main goals of this meeting are twofold:
- Determine Whether You Have a Valid Claim: During the free initial consultation, the focus will be on understanding the timeline of events that led to your legal concerns. This includes identifying any potential violations of employment law by your employer, such as wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or unpaid wages.
- Assess Whether the Firm Can Assist You: Not every case is a perfect fit for every law firm. The free initial consultation provides an opportunity to determine whether the case fits within the firm’s area of expertise and whether it’s possible to offer effective representation.
While general legal principles will be discussed, it’s important to understand that this meeting isn’t meant to provide a formal legal opinion or a fully developed strategy at this stage. Do not expect to come away from the free initial consultation with a comprehensive plan of action to address your situation, or a definitive legal opinion on your legal options.
- Length of the Free Initial Legal Consultation
Free consultations usually last between 30 minutes and one hour. This timeframe allows for a thorough discussion of the most relevant facts and ensures time for answering initial questions. During this time, expect to cover:
- The timeline of events related to your employment issue
- Any relevant documents or evidence you provide
- Key questions you may have about the legal process
It’s helpful to come prepared with a clear summary of your situation and any questions you want addressed to make the most of the available time.
- Confidentiality
One of the most important aspects of the consultation is confidentiality. Even if you don’t end up moving forward with the firm, any information shared during the consultation is protected by the attorney-client privilege. This ensures that:
- The details of your case and your personal information will not be shared with anyone else.
- You can speak openly and honestly about your situation without fear that the information will be used against you later.
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the legal process and allows potential clients to trust that their sensitive information will remain private.
- What to Bring to the Free Initial Legal Consultation
To ensure a productive discussion, bringing key documents and information is highly recommended. These materials will help provide a more comprehensive view of your case. Consider bringing the following:
- Recent Pay Stubs or W-2s: These are helpful in cases involving wage disputes or wrongful termination, as they provide a record of your employment history and compensation.
- Employment Contracts or Agreements: If you’ve signed any employment agreements, non-compete clauses, or been offered a severance package, these documents are crucial for determining your legal rights.
- Emails or Correspondence: If there are communications that document any misconduct, discrimination, or adverse actions, they could serve as valuable evidence in your case.
- Performance Reviews or Disciplinary Notices: These records can help demonstrate whether your employer’s actions were justified or if they were potentially unlawful.
By bringing these documents to the consultation, it will be easier to provide a clear and detailed picture of your case, allowing for a more focused discussion.
- Will You Receive Legal Advice During the Free Initial Consultation?
During the initial consultation, you can expect to receive general information about employment law and how it may apply to your situation. However, it’s important to differentiate between general legal information and specific legal advice. Here’s what to expect:
- Yes: There will be an explanation of the relevant legal principles and how they might apply to the details of your case. This will give you a sense of the framework under which employment law operates.
- No: Specific legal advice or detailed recommendations on how to proceed won’t be provided unless the firm takes on your case. The purpose of this consultation is primarily to assess whether you have a valid claim and whether the firm is a good fit to represent you.
Once a decision is made to move forward, more in-depth legal advice and a strategic plan can be discussed.
- Assessing the Strength of Your Case
Part of the initial consultation will focus on identifying the key factual issues in your case. This may involve determining whether:
- Your employer violated any state or federal employment laws.
- There is sufficient evidence to support your claim.
- Your damages, such as lost wages or emotional distress, can be quantified.
While the strengths and weaknesses of your case will be discussed, keep in mind that a detailed legal strategy will not be provided during the consultation. A thorough analysis of the facts and a strategy will only come after the firm has agreed to take your case and gathered all relevant information, reviewed your documents, and fully investigated the situation.
This is a preliminary evaluation. You won’t receive a written legal analysis or a fully developed strategy during this initial meeting, as additional information or documents may be needed for a complete assessment. If the law firm declines your case after the preliminary evaluation, no additional information or analysis will be provided.
- Key Questions to Expect
During the consultation, several important questions will likely be asked to clarify the facts and determine whether there is a viable case. Be prepared to answer questions like:
- What was your role at the company, and what were your job responsibilities?
- When did the adverse employment action occur, such as termination, demotion, or a change in your working conditions?
- What reasons did your employer provide for their actions? Are those reasons false? How so?
- Have you filed any formal complaints with HR, your employer, or a government agency?
Having a clear timeline of events and being ready to discuss the specific details of your situation will help ensure the consultation is as productive as possible.
- No Obligation to Hire Attorney or Client
The free initial consultation comes with no obligation to hire the firm, and no obligation for the law firm to accept the potential client. It’s an opportunity for you to explore your legal options and for the firm to evaluate your case. If, after the consultation, you decide that the firm isn’t the right fit for you, you are free to continue your search for representation without any commitment. Likewise, the firm may decide to decline your potential case for a variety of reasons based on the firm’s years of experience litigating employment lawsuits in court.
- Discussing Fees and Payment Structure
One of the key topics covered during the consultation will be the firm’s fees and payment structure. Many employment law cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning the firm only gets paid if recover money on your case. This fee is usually a percentage of the recovery, which can range from 33% to 45%, depending on the case’s complexity and other factors.
Other fee structures that may be discussed, at the sole discretion of the law firm, include:
- Hourly Fees: Charged based on the time spent working on your case, typically billed in increments. Typical hourly rates range from $350 to $750 per hour.
- Flat Fees: A set price for specific legal services, such as preparing a demand letter or representing you at a hearing.
Make sure to ask questions about:
- The contingency fee percentage and how it might vary.
- Any additional costs, such as court filing fees, expert witness fees, or travel expenses.
A clear understanding of the potential costs involved will help you make an informed decision about moving forward with the case.
- Potential Outcomes of the Free Initial Legal Consultation
There are three possible outcomes following the free consultation:
- The Firm Declines the Case: If it’s determined that your case doesn’t meet the legal standards necessary for a claim, the firm may decline to take it. In this case, an explanation will be provided, and suggestions for next steps may be offered.
- The Firm Accepts the Case: If the firm agrees to represent you, the next steps will be outlined. This will include signing a written engagement agreement with the law firm, gathering additional documents, filing legal documents with the court or a government agency, or beginning negotiations with your employer.
- Further Information Is Needed: In some cases, the firm may need additional documents or information before making a decision about whether to take the case. You will be informed of what’s needed, and a decision will be made once that information is reviewed.
- How We Communicate After the Consultation
After the initial consultation, communication typically takes place via email for sharing documents and routine updates, with phone calls scheduled as needed for urgent or more complex matters. Email is generally preferred for maintaining a clear record of communications. If the law firm accepts your case, it is very important to respond promptly to any email or telephone call from the law firm.
During the consultation, feel free to ask about preferred methods of communication and how frequently updates will be provided throughout the process.
- Explanation of the Legal Process
If the firm accepts your case, the next steps in the legal process will be explained. This might involve filing a complaint with the relevant government agency, negotiating a settlement, or preparing for litigation. Although a detailed legal strategy isn’t provided during the consultation, you will receive a broad overview of what to expect going forward.
- Client Expectations After the Free Initial Legal Consultation
Should the firm decide to represent you, there are a few important expectations for you as a client:
- Timely Responses: It’s essential to respond promptly to emails or phone calls, especially when time-sensitive matters arise.
- Honesty and Full Disclosure: Providing all relevant documents and information, even if they don’t seem favorable, is critical for building a strong case.
- Availability During Business Hours: While flexibility is often accommodated, it’s important to be available to discuss the case during normal business hours. Restricting communication with the law firm to evenings or weekends generally is unacceptable.
- Conclusion
A free legal consultation with the Ruggles Law Firm is a valuable first step in understanding your employment law claim. By coming prepared and understanding what to expect, you can make the most of this initial meeting and set the stage for potential legal action.
Contact the Ruggles Law Firm at 916-758-8058 to Evaluate Your Potential Lawsuit
Matt Ruggles has a thorough understanding of California employment laws and decades of practical experience litigating employment law claims in California and federal court. Using all of his knowledge and experience, Matt and his team can quickly evaluate your potential claim and give you realistic advice on what you can expect if you sue your former employer.
Blog posts are not legal advice and are for informational purposes only. Contact the Ruggles Law Firm for consideration of your individual circumstances.
