How to Minimize Attorney Fees:

It is important, at the beginning of the attorney-client relationship, that you discuss with Mr. Kelso the approach that you choose to take, and want Mr. Kelso to take, in helping to achieve your legal objectives. Some clients have unlimited financial resources and ask that Mr. Kelso take a "no-stone-left-unturned" approach in the case. Such an approach can be quite expensive because it will be necessary to engage in extensive discovery. For instance, in such cases it will be necessary to serve extensive interrogatories, requests for production of documents, requests for admissions, take depositions of parties and witnesses, and other procedures aimed at discovery of all the relevant facts that may be important in the case before the case is tried. Such an approach is likely to be very expensive, but in many cases this approach adds a significant increase in the likelihood of success and pre-trial settlement of the case. In other cases, many clients with more limited financial resources choose a "minimal fee" approach. Using this approach, Mr. Kelso will discuss with you a number of low cost methods of obtaining limited discovery that can help in discovery of relevant facts that are important to the case. For instance, instead of extensive written discovery, one or more targeted subpoenas may be used to obtain limited information. Such an approach is less expensive than a "no-stone-left-unturned" approach; however, there is the potential for not finding out important facts that may be important to the case. Moreover, the likelihood of a a pretrial settlement is reduced, and the likelihood of a successful outcome is diminished significantly by this approach. Finally, a client with very limited financial resources may simply want legal representation with little or no preparation and discovery in the case, what Mr. Kelso will refer to as the "shoot-from-the-hip-approach" to the case. Using this approach, Mr. Kelso will prepare appropriate pleadings and engage in the most minimal preparation. This is the most dangerous approach to litigation and can result in surprises along the way as the facts will simply arise at random during the hearing or trial. Using such a "shoot-from-the-hip-approach" the client gets Mr. Kelso's expertise and guidance; however, the likelihood of a fair settlement and successful outcome are diminished. However, for clients with minimal resources, who are forced to take this approach, it may be worth the risk when the alternative is no representation at all. 

Here are a few other ways that clients can minimize fee charges:

1. Since the attorney will be in touch with you when something important arises in the case, you do not need to call the attorney just to check on the status of your case.

2. The attorney charges for time based on 6 minute (.10 of an hour intervals), so when you contact the attorney discuss all the questions you have at that time rather than contacting the attorney with one question at a time. Making three separate calls with a question that is answered in 2 minutes will result in a fee of .30, whereas making one call with 3 questions that are answered in 6 minutes or less will result in a charge of only .10.

3. Do not make appointments with the attorney for "feel-good" information. Many clients contact Mr. Kelso to simply set and talk about the case and feel reassured that he or she can handle the emotional issues. Mr. Kelso's hourly charges are significantly higher than most counselors, so seek a qualified counselor to help you deal with emotional needs.

4. Mr. Kelso charges .10 for reviewing and .10 for responding to an email that is less than 300 words. Therefore, avoid extensive use of email as a means of communication with Mr. Kelso.

5. Pay your invoice when it is received. Mr. Kelso does add a finance charge of 1% each month on the outstanding balance of all invoices that are not timely paid.

For appointment, call 704-865-8684