Noorah101

> Look, I think your gut feeling is telling you that this lawyer isn't
> right for you.
> You need to find someone who instills trust in you. That doesn't mean
> that you should not also check him/her out, but I think
> confidence/trust/feeling okay about a professional you are about to
> hire is a must.
> Do you know anyone, or can you look for someone, who can give you a
> personal recommendation?
> BTW, our lawyer certainly did not want the whole amount up-front. We
> paid in staged installments - a bit more after each step of the
> process had been completed.

I began the process with a lawyer, although I didn't keep her services
very long. She did not require payment up front. I paid a 1-time
consultation fee, then I retained her for a short time during which I
paid her in 3 installments.

Rene

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Hockey Chick

> Look, I think your gut feeling is telling you that this lawyer isn't
> right for you.
> You need to find someone who instills trust in you. That doesn't mean
> that you should not also check him/her out, but I think
> confidence/trust/feeling okay about a professional you are about to
> hire is a must.
> Do you know anyone, or can you look for someone, who can give you a
> personal recommendation?
> BTW, our lawyer certainly did not want the whole amount up-front. We
> paid in staged installments - a bit more after each step of the
> process had been completed.

No, it is the opposite. This lawyer answered all our questions and I
felt very comfortable with him.
It's just a lot of money to pay and I don't want to be scammed!!!!
I am just being cautious and wanted a little advice before I went ahead
and hired him.
He did however ask for the money up-front, which is obviously not normal
procedure and now slightly concerns me.
I don't know anyone who can give me a personal recommendation - which is
making it much harder!!!!

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Ian-Mstm

> No, it is the opposite. This lawyer answered all our questions and I
> felt very comfortable with him.
> It's just a lot of money to pay and I don't want to be scammed!!!!
> I am just being cautious and wanted a little advice before I went
> ahead and hired him.
> He did however ask for the money up-front, which is obviously not
> normal procedure and now slightly concerns me.
> I don't know anyone who can give me a personal recommendation - which
> is making it much harder!!!!

Do you actually need a lawyer? I mean, many of us submitted the
paperwork ourselves, paid the fees, went to the interviews, and
navigated the entire immigration process with success... and all sans
lawyer! While a lawyer can help you avoid some pitfalls, using one won't
speed up the process for you by even a single minute!

Ian

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Folinskyinla

> No, it is the opposite. This lawyer answered all our questions and I
> felt very comfortable with him.
> It's just a lot of money to pay and I don't want to be scammed!!!!
> I am just being cautious and wanted a little advice before I went
> ahead and hired him.
> He did however ask for the money up-front, which is obviously not
> normal procedure and now slightly concerns me.
> I don't know anyone who can give me a personal recommendation - which
> is making it much harder!!!!

Hi:

It IS normal practice.

I remember attending a "bridging the gap" program when I was first
admitted to the Bar [OK, counselor, you are now a lawyer, where is the
courthouse?]. One of the lectures was by Jay Foonberg, author of "How
To Go From Law School To Law Practice Without Missing A Meal", and he
gave the principle of "CUF" -- cash up front.

Abraham Lincoln is quoted of saying [in paraphrase] "A lawyer should
always collect a fee. The client then knows he has a lawyer and the
lawyer knows he has a client."

Also, once a lawyer undertakes representation before a tribunal, he is
often obligated to continue that representation, regardless of being
paid or not!

Also, unlike automobile mechanics, lawyers don't have any "security"
to insure payment. The mechanic has your car and you don't get it
back until he is paid. The lawyer has only his time and knowledge
to give you.

As I said earlier, the choice is YOURS. The only choice the lawyer has
is whether or not to take you on as a client. Once the choice is made
to create the relationship, the choice to terminate the relationship is
pretty much YOURS.

Hockey Chick

> I am in the process of looking for an immigration lawyer and have
> spoken with a lawyer based in LA. I found him on the internet via
> myimmigrationlawyer.net, has anyone had any experience with this
> company before I go ahead and hire him?

Thank you to everyone for their input!
With your help I have made my decision and feel much better!!!

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Folinskyinla

> I hear you on getting the filing fees and expenses, and an initial
> payment towards your fees. In practice, though, how many clients
> pay the WHOLE agreed fee upfront? And how many lawyers would INSIST
> on this?
> Personally I would never pay the whole cost of anything unless I was
> getting everything there and then, or had some insurance protection
> (e.g. if purchasing airline travel). Otherwise, be it a new kitchen or
> a Green Card, I would want to see some effort and results before
> parting with the whole amount.

Hi:

My policy is costs and at least 50% of fee up front. I prefer full
fee. However, I tend to take more difficult cases and I don't begin
to guarantee results. And if you think that is strange -- well the
next time a loved one goes to the hospital, ask for a guarantee and
see what you get.

BTW, I'm not too agressive [if at all] in enforcing fees due and owing
when case turns out badly -- and at times, they become what I call
"involuntary pro bono."

I have a good friend here in LA where he achieved a spetacular victory
for not-rich clients in an asylum case. Unfortunately for the attorney,
it got published -- so DOJ moved for "en banc" rehearing which was
granted. And, for no extra fee, he won again. Published again and
victory even more spetacular. DOJ has now petitioned for Certiorari
before the Supremes. So when cients ask about the residual hourly rate
for work outside the scope of the agreement -- I say "any case has the
potential of ending up before the Supreme Court."

I'm now facing that with my recent "Bona" victory.

Elvira

> Hi:
> My policy is costs and at least 50% of fee up front. I prefer full
> fee. However, I tend to take more difficult cases and I don't begin
> to guarantee results. And if you think that is strange -- well the
> next time a loved one goes to the hospital, ask for a guarantee and
> see what you get.
> BTW, I'm not too agressive [if at all] in enforcing fees due and owing
> when case turns out badly -- and at times, they become what I call
> "involuntary pro bono."
> I have a good friend here in LA where he achieved a spetacular victory
> for not-rich clients in an asylum case. Unfortunately for the
> attorney, it got published -- so DOJ moved for "en banc" rehearing
> which was granted. And, for no extra fee, he won again. Published
> again and victory even more spetacular. DOJ has now petitioned for
> Certiorari before the Supremes. So when cients ask about the residual
> hourly rate for work outside the scope of the agreement -- I say "any
> case has the potential of ending up before the Supreme Court."
> I'm now facing that with my recent "Bona" victory.

Just to clarify: when I said 'results' I didn't mean positive outcome
but merely seeing that whatever I had expected to be done was done - be
it answering questions, help with filling in forms, having meetings,
filing petitions or whatever.

--

Ian-Mstm

> My Mum told me something else caused that ...

Argh! Ah, geez, Ray... now I've got this image of you in my head that I
wish I didn't have! Eww... yuck!

Ian

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Noorah101

> My Mum told me something else caused that ...

Brilliant!!! LOL

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Meauxna

> Argh! Ah, geez, Ray... now I've got this image of you in my head that
> I wish I didn't have! Eww... yuck!
> Ian

At least you're up to speed with the rest of us who've suffered those
images for too long already...

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