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Full Service Representation
What Are Your Legal Needs?

Full service representation is the traditional method of legal assistance where you pay an hourly rate to the attorney or law firm. Often you are provided a free consultation, around 30 minutes long. This is where you tell the lawyer about your case. You may meet in person with the attorney, or communicate through emails, over the phone, text messages, and written notices, forms, briefs, or memos. Then they provide advice and recommendations on the next steps in your legal matter. When you hire a lawyer, they are responsible for overseeing legal research, document filings, court appearances, and many more tasks.

Paralegals, administrative assistants, and other clerical staff may be asked to help with parts of your case. The time that these professionals spend on your case may not be included in your fee agreement. Before signing a contract, ask about who would be utilized and their fee rate.
 
 
Full Service Representation
Benefits

 

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Speak to the facts of the case and law.

 

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Negotiate on your behalf for payments or sentencing with opposing counsel.

 

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Do relevant legal research.

 

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Navigate court processes like entering evidence, questioning witnesses, and voice challenges.

 

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Responsible for ensuring the correct forms and documents are filed on time.

 

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Tell you all your options.

 

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Comfortably speak in front of judges and/or juries.

 

 
 
Full Service Representation
Fees Typically Included Fees Typically Not Included

 

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Time spent on your case, such as writing briefs

 

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Fees often do not often cover court filing fees and fees associated with serving documents

 

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Researching the facts

 

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Transcript or court record costs and travel expenses

 

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Preparing witnesses

 

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Paralegal hours and cost of mailing or copies

 

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Appearing in court on your behalf

 

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These items should be detailed in conversations and contracts between you and your lawyer.
 
Prior to hiring a lawyer, you may want to ask:
  • Will you be representing me, or will my case be given to someone else in your firm? How often will we meet or talk?
  • What experience do you have with cases like mine? How many of these cases have you handled?
  • Are there other ways of resolving this matter?
  • What are your rates? How will I be billed?
  • What do your fees cover and not cover?
  • What papers, pictures, or documents do you need from me?
Depending on your annual income, Arizona has many options for free or reduced-cost legal services. You can review your options on the Resources page.
 

FREE OR REDUCED-COST LEGAL SERVICES