Reason Numbers 1 and 2 for Why We Charge for Initial Consultations

San Antonio Texas Real Estate Attorney Trey Wilson wrote:

In an earlier blog post, I introduced the reader to the philosophy behind our decision to charge an initial consultation fee of $350.00.  Below are Reasons 1 and 2 (out of 5) explaining in detail why we believe that the value delivered from your time consulting with us far exceeds any "free" interview or "free consultation" you may receive from another law firm in San Antonio, Texas.

1.             YOUR  CONSULTATION WILL BE MORE OF A STRATEGY SESSION, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED BY A REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY 

Most of the law firms that advertise for a “free consultation,” typically use legal assistants or paralegals to meet with prospective clients. Frequently, these non-lawyers are trained to hurriedly interview prospective clients in a meeting in which no attorney is present. The purpose of such "consultations" is to serve a “gatekeeper” function to determine whether speaking with the potential new client is even worth an attorney’s time.  

All of our consultations are handled by a licensed real estate attorney in San Antonio, who will understand your case and be able to explain the legal issues implicated by your particular fact situation. You will have the opportunity to interview that attorney, who will simultaneously interview and educate you.  Following our consultation, you and we will instantly know whether we are a good “fit” for your needs, as well as whether the financial arrangement under which we would consider undertaking your case is feasible.

2.             OUR INITIAL CONSULTATION IS A STRATEGY SESSION and LEARNING TOOL FOR YOU -- NOT A SALES PITCH FOR US

Attorneys who advertise for a “free consultation” use this offer as a promotional gimmick to attract clients.  The consultations we offer are educational opportunities for the prospective client, and not a “sales closing" where we will try to convince you to hire us.  The purpose of an initial consultation with any lawyer should be for the prospective client to gain knowledge about their legal situation, including available strategies available for potential resolution, and potential time and cost factors.

Because of the vulnerable mental state of many prospective clients meeting with a lawyer for the first time, free consultations are breeding grounds for sales pitches that promise quick, cheap or simple solutions to complicated problems. Thus, the benefit of a consultation sways to the attorney’s advantage.

Our firm of San Antonio real estate lawyers fervently believes that initial consultations should function for the benefit of the prospective client. During our consultation, we will listen to you, review related documents, understand your desired outcome, and opine as to the likelihood of success in achieving that outcome. At the conclusion of our consultation, we will provide initial legal advice and make appropriate recommendations with the full understanding that not all legal matters require a lawsuit – or even an attorney. Sometimes we will advise that  we are not the best attorneys for you or your particular legal matter.  

Whatever the outcome, you will leave our consultation feeling far more knowledgeable about your legal situation than when you walked in.  We believe that this value far exceeds our consultation fee of $350.00.