Simon Tolbert

Simon Tolbert

Lawyers are held to a very high standard of confidentiality with regard to representation of clients. Therefore, without the informed written consent of this particular client, this reply is suppressed and limited to the firm’s general lawyering and specific policies. Lawyers owe a duty of candor to the tribunal. As such, as a firm policy, we also extend this candor to our clients in regards to explaining to them the legal expectations or merits of their case. Sometimes clients do not wish to hear the realistic legal expectations for their case, and as such, may not be completely happy with the result, even when such result is net positive. Regardless, the firm’s policy on communication is to always treat each client with courtesy, respect, and the highest level of professionalism in every conversation and email. As lawyers, we are held to a standard of reasonableness with our billing. The standard practice of the firm is to always execute an engagement letter with each and every one of our clients, which details the legal relationship, the fees agreed to, and even processes for grievances. As a firm practice, we often give pro-bono hours to clients in need. We always itemize our bill to show what legal acts were performed down to each specific tenth of an hour worked. However, even with all these procedures in place, some clients choose not read their bill, which may detail that one hours’ worth of billing may have been spread over two days of work, through multiple teleconferences negotiating a positive settlement, examining the settlement, and arranging for the logistics and the delivery of that settlement. Lastly, our firm immediately releases all funds kept in the firm’s state regulated trust account upon the closing of a matter. This practice is in comport with CRPC Rule 1.15. We mail a check to the client’s address on record as shown our signed engagement letter for the amount remaining of any retainer not used. However, it is the responsibility of the client to deposit the check upon receipt. I apologize that you do not feel that you have not had a positive experience, and we will be contacting you to try and clear up any misunderstandings.