Clients often have questions about legal representation. Here are some answers.
Distinguishing Characteristics of Practice
Our office is distinguished by prompt, skilled service at a reasonable fee. Economies from computerization and paralegal processing of routine tasks are passed along to the client. Those efficiencies result in faster production and higher quality of advocacy. For example, the entire Virginia Code and all Virginia cases for the past 50 years are in a searchable database on Mr. Long's desk. All Virginia forms for support and division of property are computer generated, as well. We pride ourselves on the satisfaction of our clients. Not only is the quality of work high, but clients appreciate the speed with which we return calls, and the personal attention we provide. Contact our references. They will tell you what a difference it makes to have a professional who cares about them as an individual, obtains results, and charges a reasonable fee.
Why Solo
Olivier Denier Long practiced law in Bethesda, Maryland from 1976-1986, and joined a DC firm from 1986-87. Beginning in 1988, he has operated his practice as a sole proprietor in Fairfax, Virginia. The decision to practice alone resulted from a caseload sufficiently large to permit to sustain a separate office operation, without a larger firm's overhead. Efficiencies passed along to the client include telecommuting by notebook computer, intra-net connecting paralegal and counsel, scanner, Westlaw, and code and cases on an in-house searchable database.
Why Full Service
Full service means consulting, negotiating, drafting and litigating services are all available in three jurisdictions, with twenty years experience. You need not change counsel at the Woodrow Wilson bridge: For example, a judgment entered in Fairfax can be collected by garnishment or attachment in Upper Marlboro by the same attorney in the same retainer agreement.
Typical Retainer Agreement
Any professional relationship with an attorney should have a written contract. The contract should contain a statement of the services being rendered, an hourly rate, and an explanation of possible costs. This document should be signed by both attorney and client. All clients at Law Offices of Olivier Denier Long have retainer agreements.
Communication With Counsel
Clients can reach Mr. Long by e-mail, fax, office telephone or home telephone. E-mail is checked twice a day. All communications are returned the same day they are received, or the next business day.
Billing Practice
Statements are mailed at the end of each month. The statement provides a detailed account of work performed, the hourly rate, the total fees, and the itemized costs. At the bottom of each statement is a reconciliation of the retainer balance, showing the subtraction of the statement balance and the remaining credit, which is money that still belongs to the client.
Credit balances, called "retainers", are maintained in a separate bank account containing only client funds. Interest on money in this account is used to fund legal services for the poor and is called Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA). The constitutionality of this interest allocation is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Keeping Up With Developments
Clients maintain a mirror image of their pleading and correspondence files. Every paper relating to you is mailed to you the day it is generated or received.
References from Other Clients
Yes. In fact, several clients who have agreed to provide references are available by e-mail. To receive their addresses, please submit an e-mail reply form.
Problem Solving
Dissatisfaction should be communicated immediately by e-mail or telephone. There is no charge for time spent discussing your statement. We want you to be completely satisfied. If it is not possible to remedy the situation, legal services may be terminated at any time, with a refund of the remaining cash balance subject to fees or costs due at that time. Mr. Long consents to binding arbitration before the Fee Arbitration Committee of the Fairfax County Bar Association, if you request a fee arbitration clause in your contract.
Rate of Billing and Ceiling on Fees
Yes. Your attorney works at your direction, as your agent. If you intend fees to be limited for a time period or project, let counsel know, and make sure the understanding is in your contract or communicated elsewhere in writing.
Pro Se Litigation
You can probably do most things an attorney could do. However, if you have not graduated from law school, passed the bar examination and had experience, your efforts are likely to be time consuming, frustrating, and less successful than with counsel. If you are that concerned about fees, you can do the work and allow us to supervise, but we must still charge for our time.
Local Counsel
We offer preferential rates for out-of-state attorneys who seek local assistance in Washington Area jurisdictions. We can handle filing of all pleadings, or simply lend our name and presence to your litigation. We can also accompany you to motions and trial.
Questions We Missed
Law Offices of Olivier Denier Long, 1420 Spring Hill Road, Suite 210, McLean, VA 22102-3026. Telephone: 703-748-0600. Fax: 703-783-0537. © 1998, Olivier Denier Long. Last updated April 11, 2005.