Frequently Asked Questions

We offer free initial consultations for most practice areas. This allows us to understand your legal needs and determine if we're the right fit for your case. During the consultation, we'll discuss your situation, explain your legal options, and provide an honest assessment of your case. There's no obligation to hire us after the consultation.

Richard Law Group specializes in business law, including corporate law, business litigation, employment law, intellectual property, real estate law, and regulatory compliance. We represent businesses of all sizes, from startups to established enterprises, as well as business owners and executives. We do not handle personal injury, family law, or criminal defense matters.

We understand that legal issues often require prompt attention. For urgent matters, we can typically schedule a consultation within 24-48 hours. Once retained, we respond to client communications within one business day and prioritize matters based on urgency and deadlines. For emergencies, we're available 24/7.

Yes, we represent businesses ranging from solo entrepreneurs and startups to mid-sized companies and established enterprises. Our boutique structure allows us to provide personalized attention regardless of your company's size. We scale our services to match your needs and budget while maintaining the same high-quality legal counsel.

Our fee structure depends on the type of matter and client preferences. We offer hourly billing, flat fees for specific projects (like contract drafting or entity formation), and hybrid arrangements combining both. For litigation, we typically bill hourly with monthly invoices. We provide detailed fee agreements and regular billing statements so you always know what to expect.

For most matters, we do require an initial retainer, which is an advance payment held in trust and applied against future invoices for our services. The retainer amount varies based on the complexity and anticipated scope of work. We provide detailed information about retainer requirements during the initial consultation.

We provide cost estimates whenever possible, though the final cost depends on factors like case complexity, opposing party cooperation, and unexpected developments. For transactional matters like contracts or entity formation, we can often provide fixed fees. For litigation, we provide budget ranges and update you regularly on costs incurred and projected.

We accept checks, wire transfers, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), and ACH transfers. Payment is typically due upon receipt of invoice. We're happy to discuss payment arrangements for larger matters.

Timeline varies significantly based on the type of matter. Transactional work like entity formation or contract drafting typically takes 1-4 weeks. Business litigation usually takes 12-24 months through trial, though many cases settle earlier. Regulatory matters depend on agency responsiveness but typically take 3-12 months. We provide timeline estimates specific to your matter during the initial consultation.

Bring any relevant documents including contracts, correspondence, emails, corporate documents, court filings, or other materials related to your legal matter. Even if documents seem tangential, it's better to bring too much than too little. We'll review everything and identify what's important. If you're not sure what's relevant, just bring what you have and we'll sort through it together.

We provide regular updates on all active matters. For ongoing litigation or negotiations, we typically update clients bi-weekly or when significant developments occur. For transactional matters, we update you at each project milestone. You can also contact us anytime with questions—we strive to respond to all client communications within one business day.

Yes, when you hire Richard Law Group, you work directly with one of our experienced attorneys who will personally handle your matter. We don't hand off clients to junior associates. While we may utilize paralegals and support staff for certain tasks to keep costs reasonable, your assigned attorney maintains direct oversight and involvement throughout.

This is a strategic decision we'll make together based on the strength of your case, potential recovery, litigation costs, and business considerations. We prepare every case for trial to maximize settlement leverage, but many cases resolve favorably through negotiation. We provide honest assessments of settlement offers and trial prospects so you can make informed decisions aligned with your objectives.

Litigation typically proceeds through several phases: filing the complaint, discovery (exchanging documents and taking depositions), motions practice, settlement negotiations, and potentially trial. The process takes 12-24 months on average, though simpler cases may resolve faster and complex matters can take longer. We guide you through each phase and keep you informed of all developments.

While we can't guarantee outcomes, we provide honest assessments of your case's strengths and weaknesses during the initial consultation. Our evaluation considers the facts, applicable law, evidence availability, and practical considerations. We don't take cases we don't believe in, and we'll tell you if your case has problems or if litigation may not be your best option.

Our attorneys are licensed in New York and can handle matters in New York state and federal courts. For matters in other jurisdictions, we can often associate with local counsel to represent you, or we may be able to appear pro hac vice (with special court permission). We'll discuss jurisdictional issues during your consultation.

Legal counsel is advisable for any significant business transaction including entity formation, major contracts, real estate purchases, business acquisitions or sales, financing arrangements, and partnership agreements. Even if not legally required, an attorney can identify risks, negotiate better terms, and ensure your interests are protected. The cost of legal counsel is typically far less than the cost of fixing problems later.

LLCs offer flexibility, pass-through taxation, and simpler administration. Corporations (C-Corps) allow unlimited shareholders, easier capital raising, and preferred stock structures favored by investors. S-Corps offer pass-through taxation with some corporate benefits but have ownership restrictions. The best choice depends on your business goals, tax situation, and growth plans. We analyze your specific situation and recommend the optimal structure.

Yes, we draft and review all types of business contracts including vendor agreements, customer contracts, employment agreements, operating agreements, shareholder agreements, non-disclosure agreements, licensing agreements, and more. We also review contracts presented to you by others, negotiate terms, and ensure you understand your rights and obligations before signing.

Yes, we advise clients on capital raising including structuring equity and debt offerings, drafting offering documents and subscription agreements, ensuring securities law compliance, and negotiating terms with investors. We've helped clients raise capital through angel investments, venture capital, private placements, and other financing methods.

Consult an employment lawyer when hiring your first employee, drafting offer letters or employment agreements, creating an employee handbook, facing an employment lawsuit or EEOC charge, conducting workplace investigations, considering terminating an employee in a sensitive situation, or implementing policies around wages, leave, or benefits. Proactive legal counsel helps prevent problems before they arise.

While not legally required in all cases, we strongly recommend every employer have a compliant handbook outlining workplace policies, expectations, and procedures. A good handbook protects your company legally, sets clear expectations for employees, demonstrates your commitment to fair treatment, and provides a reference for handling workplace issues consistently.

Take every complaint seriously and consult legal counsel immediately. Document the complaint, preserve relevant evidence, and conduct a prompt, thorough investigation. Don't retaliate against the complaining employee. We guide employers through the investigation process, help determine appropriate corrective action, and defend against claims if litigation follows.

New York recently enacted new restrictions on non-compete agreements. As of 2024, non-competes are generally prohibited for employees earning below certain wage thresholds and must meet heightened requirements even for higher-paid workers. We draft enforceable non-compete, non-solicit, and confidentiality agreements that comply with current New York law and protect your legitimate business interests.