Frequently Asked Questions
Working With Sperring
How do you bill for legal services?
Ordinarily, we bill hourly for services. Certain matters can be billed at a flat fee or on contingency instead, depending on the situation. We'll discuss the best fit for your matter early on.
Do clients work directly with an attorney?
Yes. Clients will also communicate with staff for administrative or clerical items, but for case-specific information, clients work directly with the attorney.
How do you communicate during a matter?
This is primarily based on client preferences and urgency. Some clients prefer email, some phone calls, and we will tailor our general communications to our clients. However, all urgent information is conveyed by both phone and email.
What should I prepare for an initial consultation?
Before your consultation, gather documents or other materials related to your matter (emails, contracts, court papers, photographs, invoices, notices). Prepare a short timeline of what happened, including important dates, deadlines, payments, conversations, and any pending hearings or response dates. Be ready to explain your goals and the current status of any the issue or dispute you are calling about. The more organized the information is at the outset, the more productive the consultation will be.
Timing & Decision Making
When is the right time to involve legal counsel?
The right time to involve legal counsel is usually before a dispute becomes expensive, urgent, or harder to fix. If you are signing a contract, receiving threats of legal action, dealing with nonpayment, facing a business or real estate dispute, speaking with a business attorney early can help you understand your options and avoid potentially costly mistakes.
What if I’m unsure whether legal action is necessary?
A consultation is free, and if you are unsure of whether legal assistance is necessary then that is the perfect time to call. No one knows what they don’t know. Potentially deciding on your own that legal assistance is not necessary without knowing potential legal risks or benefits can cost a lot of money in the future.
How do you help clients weigh tradeoffs?
I help clients weigh tradeoffs by identifying the available options, the risks attached to each option, the likelihood of those risks, and the likely cost of acting or not acting. The final decision belongs to the client. There may be options I strongly recommend over others but I cannot force owners or investors to choose what I think is best. My role is to provide information, assess practical and legal options, and help clients make informed decisions consistent with their goals.
Cost & Scope
How do you help clients manage legal costs?
Managing legal costs is specific to each client and matter, and depends on your objectives and the amount at issue. A seven-figure lawsuit gets managed very differently than a dispute over $10,000. The strategy is built around what actually makes sense for the stakes involved.
What happens if the scope of a matter changes?
If the scope of a matter changes, I will address that with the client before moving forward on work outside the original understanding. Legal matters can expand as new facts, documents, parties, claims, deadlines, or business issues arise. When that happens, I discuss what changed, how it affects the strategy, and whether additional work, fees, or a revised engagement is necessary. The goal is to keep the client informed, avoid surprises, and make sure the legal work remains tied to the client’s objectives.
Fit & Expectations
What types of matters are not a good fit?
I often decline matters outside my practice areas like divorce, estates, or intellectual property. I will take matters that require immediate emergency action unless I am unavailable and cannot properly handle a matter on short notice. Finally, I am professionally obligated to turn down matters where there is a conflict of interest. However, I would still recommend a potential client call me regardless. I have an established network of attorneys I know well and trust who I can often point potential clients to if I am unable to handle a matter.
Do you handle consumer or personal legal issues?
Yes. As a business and real estate attorney, I primarily represent business owners, contractors, and investors, but I believe the best results come from understanding the 'other side' too. Taking on personal matters helps me do that.
How do you define success for clients?
Success depends on the client’s goals, the facts, and the practical limits of the matter. In some cases, success means winning in court. In other cases, it means resolving a dispute quickly to avoid unnecessary risk, or it can be protecting a business relationship. At the end of the day, success is defined by the client’s objectives and not my own.
Schedule A Consultation
If you are facing a business, construction, or real estate matter and want legal counsel grounded in practical judgment, we welcome a conversation to understand your situation and determine the right next step.