Practice Areas

Start with what happened rather than what to call it. If you were hurt by someone else's carelessness, that is personal injury. If something went wrong at your job, that is employment. If a government actor did it, that is civil rights. If a court already ruled against you, that is an appeal. Most people calling for the first time are not sure, and sorting it out is part of the free consultation.

The consultation is free in every practice area. Personal injury, car accident, and civil rights cases are generally handled on a contingency fee — no attorney's fee unless there is a recovery. Employment matters may be contingency, hourly, or flat fee, and appellate work is usually hourly or flat fee for a defined stage. Whatever the structure, it is explained at the consultation and set out in a written agreement before any work begins.

Four are worth asking every time: Who will actually handle my file day to day? Have you tried cases in this county? What are the realistic weaknesses here? And walk me through the fee agreement. A lawyer who is vague on any of those has told you something useful.

Central Valley cases are heard by Central Valley judges and decided by Central Valley juries, so familiarity with local courts, local practice, and how a case will land with a Fresno jury is a substantial part of the strategy. Out-of-area advertising firms also frequently refer Valley cases to local counsel anyway and collect a referral fee for it. There is a fuller comparison here.

It depends on the claim and on who the defendant is, and the deadlines stack — the shortest one that applies is the one that governs. The table above covers the common ones, but the only way to know your actual deadline is to have someone look at your specific facts. Call sooner rather than later.

You will be told directly, at no cost, and pointed toward the right kind of attorney where possible. This firm does not handle criminal defense, family law, immigration, or bankruptcy.