We are in an age of specialization. As times have changed, no lawyer can possibly keep up with all areas and complexities of the law, and that is why our team is comprised of the top legal minds. Our firm is also unique because the size of our legal team allows us to offer counsel on nearly any facet of the law in our areas of specialization.

The length of a case, from the initial free consultation through to the resolution of the case by settlement or verdict, depends on several variables, so it is not possible to say exactly how long a case may take.  The duration of a case is often dictated by the individual court in which the case is filed. Some courts have a backlog of cases and therefore, the oldest cases in a court will be considered before a more recently filed case. Though some cases do settle before going to court, a settlement would not usually occur until just before the scheduled trial.

We never charge for an initial consultation.  At the free initial consultation, we will discuss the details of your potential case, the legal process and answer any questions you may have.

A contingency fee is where the fee is payable only if there is a favourable result.

All office visits are by appointment only. We encourage each of our clients to schedule meetings with us during regular business hours. From time to time you may request that we meet you in the evening if the matter cannot wait. While we do not encourage these “special visits,” we may arrange them where necessary. If we must meet with you in the evening, we must reserve the right to add a surcharge to our regular fee for the appointment. You will be advised, in advance, of the decision concerning the surcharge. Since “special visits” may be expensive, please avoid them wherever possible.

Certain legal matters require that monies be held “in trust” or “in Clients’ Account” for a client for weeks or months at a time. For example, a damage suit settlement may require us to hold the settlement proceeds “in escrow” until the settlement cheque had been cleared through normal banking procedures. We maintain a separate escrow account, and at no time is money from that account co-mingled with general funds. This is your money held in trust by your attorneys. Separate, detailed records are kept in connection with this account on your behalf.

A phone call to our office will direct you to the person who can best answer your question. Remember, no questions as to your rights, duties or obligations should go unanswered because you did not know which counsel to call. Fees for these different matters will be charged in accordance with our regular practice.

In addition to legal fees, there are various expenses that must be paid to others in order to prepare your legal matter. For example, payments must be made to obtain necessary reports or copies of necessary documents, to obtain licenses or permits from governmental authorities, to file suits in courts of law, in addition to other outside entities that are necessary to help your cause. Generally, the amounts of these charges will be in direct proportion to the complexity of the matter involved. The easier your matter is to solve, the less these costs will ordinarily be.

At the start of your legal matter, we will try to estimate for you the amount of out-of-pocket expenses which may be incurred on your behalf. We will discuss with you whether or when you will be required to reimburse us for these expenditures which are made on your behalf to further your legal cause.

You are entitled to know, to the extent that we can reasonably inform you at your first visit, what your fee will be.  We encourage a frank, open discussion about our fees with each client at the time of the first interview.

Lawyers are paid under various fee arrangements.

Flat fee:

On a flat fee basis, your legal fee is a stated sum for agreed upon services.  No accounting will be made.

Contingency fee:

On a contingency fee basis, your legal fees will be based on the amount of recovery we get for you.  Not all cases qualify for the contingency basis; we will tell you if yours does.

Other potential fees:

A pre-payment will often be required in order to begin to process your matter and you will be kept advised as to how that pre-payment is being used.  Bills will be sent to you periodically showing your charges and payments. Certain cases may have a minimum fee.

We try to keep legal fees as reasonable as possible.  The amount of services required, however, is not fully within our control.  We discuss with our client options for services and the benefits of services.   Sometimes, however, services are directly related to an opposing party’s action or inaction.  Please feel free to discuss fees with your counsel.

We are interested in your questions and we want you to ask them. Sometimes we are required to be out of the office. When in the office, we meet with clients, complete research, review documents, or prepare contracts, briefs or pleadings. Leave a message so we know your concern in advance. If you do that, we will always try to get an answer back to you even if your Lawyer is out of the office when you call.

Simply stated, you will receive superior service through careful consideration, confident counsel and unprecedented knowledge by our legal team that is both efficient and effective.

We understand the importance of communication and transparency between counsel and client.  Although we would like to talk to you weekly by telephone that would neither be practical nor productive.  Legal matters have a way of stretching out over long periods of time.  To you, it may often seem like ages have gone by without activity, however, in fact, much behind-the-scenes work is being completed so that on the day your matter is ready, nothing will be overlooked.  We will strive to keep you informed when anything important happens and to respond to your questions in a reasonable time.  In addition, we will inform you when your presence is required, either in our office or in court via emails or letters. We will also send you regular updates giving the status of your matter.

Our leadership team at Messrs Wole Olufon & Co will determine which counsel can best represent you in handling your case. It may not be possible, or advantageous, to have one counsel handle all of your legal matters. One counsel will be responsible for the overall progress of the case, but from time to time, another counsel may perform certain duties within the case itself. Please do not be concerned if your case is handled by a different counsel within our firm, as ‘your counsel’ will still be your counsel. This is merely another sign to you that we are doing our best to handle your case as professionally and efficiently as possible.

Yes. Each state has laws that provide time limits to formally file a lawsuit or claim.  These laws, called the “statute of limitations”, will prevent an otherwise viable claim from being considered if it is not filed on time.  Therefore, it is important to contact us, or any lawyer, as soon as possible after a cause of action arises.

No.  Many times, for a variety of reasons, amicable settlement of matters are encouraged; however, Messrs Wole Olufon & Co prepares every case as if it will proceed to trial.