ANSWERS
Q. Why don't you accept ongoing work?
A. We seek to maintain a detached, objective approach to our legal crisis assessment service. Approaching a crisis or conflict as a unique event, rather than as ongoing work, means you can rest assured that we are seeking the most effective, satisfactory resolution to your problem, not looking for a long-term engagement and add-on fees.
Additionally, this is a specialized practice. There are thousands of highly skilled and experienced attorneys who can handle the vast majority of your legal matters. We avoid these standard practices, and are unique in that we only seek out truly challenging and complex issues, and offer only advisory, sometimes second opinion services. A crisis is defined as "A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point." Crisis Assessment is about strategically analyzing these events and finding a real solution.
Q. How do you handle referrals to specialists?
A. As part of our strategy process we may need to utilize or recommend other professionals and technical experts to assist you, but we do not seek to profit by referring or recommending specialists to you. If requested, we will recommend or assist you in finding or retaining such personnel.
To be clear, no money is exchanged for any of our referral services, and the individuals or firms selected by you are determined based on their specific case experience, past satisfactory outcomes, knowledge of the area of interest, ethical standards, ability to perform effectively, and ability to relate to your needs.
Our referrals will be highly seasoned, reputable veterans in whom we are confident of their ability to assist you.
Of course, all referrals will be discussed with you in detail, and retained only as a result of your approval.
Q. Will I be working with an experienced attorney or junior lawyers?
A. Your legal crisis will be handled only by experienced, highly successful lawyers. We don't have junior attorneys. By choosing an attorney with the proper experience and judgment, you can be assured that there will be no "on-the-job" learning in your case.
Q. What are your fees?
A. We charge a fixed-in-advance, flat fee for our assessment services. The actual cost depends on the nature and facts of your situation. When we meet in person, we will discuss these details with you clearly.
We will review existing relevant facts, selected documents and attorney work product, as well as conducting an in-depth interview with you. This, and the scope of our involvement in your matter, will determine the final fee. The various aspects of determining your fee include:
• detailed situation review and assumptions about general strategies;
• amount and complexity of existing materials;
• time sensitivity or urgency;
• time budgeted to ongoing monitoring progress, if desired; and
• requirements for experts, technical reviews, etc.
Q. What is the AV Rating?
A. Bob Goodman is rated AV® by Martindale-Hubbell's Peer Review Ratings system. This system helps attorneys and clients evaluate and select the most appropriate lawyer for a specific task at hand.
The rating consists of two parts:
The General Ethical Standards Rating denotes adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability, diligence and other criteria relevant to the discharge of professional responsibilities.
The Legal Ability Rating takes into consideration the standard of professional ability in the area where the lawyer practices, the lawyer's expertise, and other professional qualifications. If a lawyer's practice is limited or specialized, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings are based on performance in those specific fields of law.
Being rated AV® means that Bob has achieved the highest ratings in both these fields, rated very high in ethical matters and very high to preeminent in legal abilities.
For more information about the ratings system, please visit Martindale-Hubbell's website.
