Your First Appointment
The first meeting with our firm is called your "Initial Consultation" and it is expected to last approximately 1-2 hours. To make the most of your initial consultation, it is often helpful to make a list of questions or bring documents with you that you would like to have reviewed. I have prepared a checklist to assist you with this process: See Initial Consultation Checklist. This list is not intended to make you anxious about your appointment, but more so to maximize the value you receive from the meeting. If necessary, you can always provide the documents at a later date.
What should I expect in the first meeting?
During this meeting, I will ask you to provide me with the background of your situation and ask you questions to determine whether I can assist you to achieve your goal. If you are seeking advice to best advocate for your child's educational needs, I will also review evaluations, Individualized Education Plans ("IEPs"), and/or Section 504 Accommodation Plans to determine whether your child is being provided with the education that he or she is entitled to under the law. By the end of the consultation, you will be given an action plan consisting of the steps necessary to achieve your desired result.
What should I expect afterward?
After the consultation, our office will send a Retainer Agreement for your review and request a retainer fee that will be determined based on your individual needs. This is required under both New Jersey and Pennsylvania law. This Agreement is a contract that outlines the expectations and obligations of our firm and you as the client. If you wish to hire our experts to assist you in advocating for you or your loved one with special needs, you will need to return the signed Agreement along with the retainer fee for us to begin our advocacy efforts. The services provided will be billed from the retainer fee which will be held in our Attorney Trust account. If there is a balance left over when your matter is resolved, the monies will be refunded to you.
Schedule your appointment
If you would like to schedule your initial consultation, please feel free to call the office or send us an email using the "Contact Us" form our website. Rest assured that our office will take the steps necessary to put you at ease and will do our best to provide you with the answers you need to achieve your goal.