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Office Practices
Philosophy. The office practices at Lisa J. Cappalli, Esq., LLC are designed to: a) improve the quality of the services delivered to our clients, b) maintain clear and open communications with our clients, and c) allow us to operate a profitable, reputable and well run business. While not “set in stone” in every situation, we have found that establishing, communicating and implementing basic office practices improves the likelihood of achieving all three goals on a consistent basis. Your feedback about our office practices is welcome.
Physical Space. The office is located on Route 10 in Cheshire, in particular at 325 Highland Ave. Safe and convenient on site parking is available. Our suite, number 202, is accessible by elevator and stairway. The office is non-smoking. Weapons are prohibited. The office space is appropriately configured, nicely furnished and decorated and kept neat and clean to ensure a working environment that is professional yet comfortable.
Office Hours. Regular office hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. We can generally accommodate early morning appointments, as early as 7:30 am, and on a more limited schedule, evening appointments ending by 7:00 pm. It is advisable to call before coming to the office without an appointment.
Staff. We view our staff as a valuable resource. They are compassionate, level headed and skilled resources. Staff can be contacted directly at 203-699-8960.
Legal Fees and Costs.
Clients will be asked to enter into an engagement letter with the firm. This letter is a contract that is binding on both you and Lisa J. Cappalli, Esq., LLC. The engagement letter will describe the terms of our engagement including specifically what you are retaining this firm to do for you as well as our respective rights and responsibilities. Supplemental letters of engagement will be utilized as well when appropriate. Clients are encouraged to thoroughly review all engagement letters before signing, discuss any questions or concerns with us and/or review the engagement letter with an independent attorney.
We typically operate on a retainer basis, the amount of the retainer being based primarily upon the type and complexity of the case. Supplemental retainers are frequently required as the then existing retainer is depleted.
Legal services are presently billed on an hourly basis. Effective January 1, 2008 mediation rates are $310 hourly for Attorney Cappalli. Attorney Cappalli's rates for most other new clients are $295 per hour. The hourly rate is $70 for the legal assistant. The minimum increment billed is .1, which constitutes six minutes.
Invoices will be sent to each client regularly. We encourage you to contact us immediately upon your receipt of any invoice about which you have questions or comments.
This firm does not accept credit cards. We generally do not provide services on credit. Thus, except in certain exceptional situations, your account with this firm must be kept current at all times.
Communications.
We can communicate with you via telephone discussion, voice mail messaging, letter, facsimile transmission, electronic mail, physical meeting. Please make known to us your preferences in this regard from time to time and we will consider these throughout our relationship.
We attempt to return telephone calls and emails during the business week within twenty- four hours of our receipt and we are almost always successful doing so. We ask for your understanding in advance for that rare circumstance we are unable to reply to you during the business week within twenty-four hours. Note that while we generally check email and voice mail over the weekend and holidays, response time may be longer during these periods.
Other Professionals.
The input of other professionals is often invaluable in developing reliable factual information, creating options, and implementing client agreements. Thus, we maintain a network of competent, professional and resolution focused professionals, most of whom support the non-adversarial resolution of family disputes. These related professionals include, mortgage brokers, tax accountants, pension lawyers, child therapists, divorce coaches, child specialists, certified divorce financial analysts, vocational and career counselors, real estate lawyers, insurance specialists. We may turn to one or more of these professionals as we proceed through your matter.
Clients are often concerned about the fees and costs incurred by seeking the services of related professionals. Our experience is that the value the right professional adds to the quality of the agreement as well as the divorce or other legal process itself, is normally well worth the out of pocket costs and thus a good investment by our client.
Other Professionals.
The input of other professionals is often invaluable in developing reliable factual information, creating options, and implementing client agreements. Thus, we maintain a network of competent, professional and resolution focused professionals, most of whom support the non-adversarial resolution of family disputes. These related professionals include, mortgage brokers, tax accountants, pension lawyers, child therapists, divorce coaches, child specialists, certified divorce financial analysts, vocational and career counselors, real estate lawyers, insurance specialists. We may turn to one or more of these professionals as we proceed through your matter.
Clients are often concerned about the fees and costs incurred by seeking the services of related professionals. Our experience is that the value the right professional adds to the quality of the agreement as well as the divorce or other legal process itself, is normally well worth the out of pocket costs and thus a good investment by our client.
Guidelines for Human Interaction.
We will use our best efforts to treat our clients, as well as your spouses and significant others, and the other lawyers and their staff with courtesy and respect. We ask that you not misconstrue our attitude and behavior as “soft” or “weak”. Rather, such treatment typically will further your bests interests and goals in terms of the divorce or other legal process as well as the substantive outcome of the agreements you reach.
We ask that you make sincere efforts to communicate with others and us in the same manner. Please know however, we appreciate and understand that divorce and the other reasons clients seek our representation are often emotionally challenging. We know we are working with you through very difficult times in your lives and will strive to show patience and compassion.
Client Survey. Client feedback concerning all aspects of our relationship with you is important to us. Therefore, upon conclusion of our work together, we will ask that you take a few minutes to complete our Client Survey.
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