Free consultations: When you consider a firm that offers free consultations – make sure you know who you will be meeting with during your consult. At Boudreaux Hunter, you will always have a consultation with one of our named Partners, unless you request otherwise.
Low Retainers: The golden rule – you get what you pay for – is as true in legal services as it is in any other consumer service or good. Watch out for firms that quote you a low-ball retainer. If you are shopping for a lawyer and providing the same information to each one you meet, you should receive fairly similar quotes. If one firm offers you a retainer much lower than the others, it does not automatically mean you will pay less over the course of your case. More than likely, it simply means you will run out of your retainer much sooner.
It is important to note that Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct allow a lawyer to voluntarily withdraw from your case if you fail to pay your bill for his/her services. Section 1.15 details declining or terminating representation “(b)… a lawyer shall not withdrawal from representing a client UNLESS, (5) the client fails to substantially fulfill an obligation to the lawyer regarding the lawyer’s services, including an obligation to pay the lawyer’s fees as agreed…; (6) or the representation will result in an unreasonable financial burden on the lawyer…”