Law Office Of Jacqueline N. Rizzardi

I have found that clients feel most at ease when they have a clear understanding of what to expect from their attorney and what is expected of them as a client. The process is as follows:

1) I will email you an intake form so that you can provide me with the details of your case. I will use this form to prepare for our consultation. 

2) We will meet for a free consultation to determine if we are a good fit for each other. You will explain to me why you are seeking help from an attorney and provide a history of your situation. We will discuss some of the different paths that we may take to overcome your issue and some of the different outcomes that we may face. We would strive to share the same goals in the case.

3) If you choose to work together then I will provide you with a detailed fee agreement/retainer agreement. After you sign that form and provide a retainer fee (if applicable), then our working relationship will officially begin.

4) Our second appointment will be focused on information gathering. We will discuss your case in great detail and review the intake form that you completed, discuss your goals, and develop a plan of action to reach those goals. I will explain to you what the next steps in your case will be and what you can expect from the legal process.

5) I will continue to update our plan of action as your case progresses. You will receive emails that indicate your “to do list” and “our next steps.” I will encourage you to take an active role in your case.

Throughout my years of practice, I have regularly negotiated settlements in an attempt to avoid litigation and reach the best outcome for my client. While working at a large firm, I was recognized as the attorney with the highest volume of resolved cases in a single month.

I will fight for you and I will protect you. However, I will do so with kindness and professionalism. More often than not, parties can reach a settlement without having to litigate their case at trial. This will likely result in accruing less in legal bills, take less time to resolve, and impose less stress on you and those involved in your case (such as children in a divorce proceeding). In the end, a settlement often results in more money in your pocket than litigating at trial. 

My clients are not only in need of competent counsel, but an advocate who will demonstrate empathy and understanding. Those who excel in this field have the ability to balance compassion with professionalism to create an ideal client experience. 

When I previously represented corporate plaintiffs in civil matters, defendants regularly approached me in court and asked if I could represent them. I explained that I was unable to do so because I was working for "the other side."

In my heart, I knew that I would prefer to represent private individuals and assist them in what is a very difficult time in their life.

Choose an attorney who is knowledgeable and who you “click with.” When you choose an attorney, you are choosing your teammate. This is a criterion that many clients over look. Consider the attorney whom you enjoy interacting with and whom you will trust with the intimate details of your life. If you are willing to share personal details that relate to your case, you are enabling your attorney to have a better understanding of your case and to better represent you.

It is important that you choose an attorney who you feel you can trust, are comfortable speaking to, and simply enjoy being in their presence. This is extremely important if you are seeking legal help. You don’t want to feel dread each time your attorney calls you or each time you must call them. There are so many situations in life that we are forced to work with people who we dislike. Working with an attorney should not be one of those situations.

Ask the attorney what their view is on litigating a matter in court versus settling a matter outside of court. It is important that your views align with those of your attorney on this topic. If you each have the same goals then the path to obtaining those goals will be smoother.