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Rated "AV" (a lawyer's highest
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Do it Yourself Fee Proposal-For Business Immigration Legal Services
"One Internet year equals twenty-three real years."
---Herman Veltkamp
Turn this page into a double-sided digest size booklet.
Give to other decision makers in your company or to your prospective
employer. Link will take you to an independent Website for a software
download.
(10 minutes at 14.4k)
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How Do You Get Started?
This page contains all the documents necessary to quickly and properly retain our office. By using this Web site you save time, expense and paperwork. You can print out, review, fill in and sign this document. You do not have to wait for us to prepare and send a paper package.
The goal of the Law Office of Joseph C. Grasmick is to help you get your immigration permit quickly. We do this by using the Internet for as much of our representation as possible. This is the first step.
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Instructions
Step #1:
Become informed:
- Identify the immigration options available to you or your company by following the links on our home page. Solicit our help at any time. If you are the employer, help inform your employee. If you are the employee, keep your employer informed.
- Decide whether you wish to use a lawyer. We invite you to review the question "Do We Need a Lawyer?" in our FAQ.
- Carefully review our FAQ concerning legal fees. Make sure you understand and are comfortable with our billing practices. Make sure you are comfortable with the fit between our office, and yourself/your company.
- Review Joseph C. Grasmick's credentials to help make your decision.
Step #2:
Confirm your choice of immigration permit(s) with our office by e-mail, telephone or personal conference.
Step #3:
Print out this page and fill out the numbered blanks using data we will send you e-mail. Send the completed page to our office with the initial payment. Consider using overnight courier to expedite. Keep a copy for yourself.
When we receive this we will quickly give you a list of items we need from you to prepare the application.
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Engagement Letter
1.______________________________[Date of our e-mail that contained the fee quote]
RE: Your request for information about U.S. immigration
Thank you for your interest in our services.
We understand that you need information about our legal fees. We are happy to provide you with this material.
Since we often change our fee estimates to make them accurate, this quote is valid for three weeks. Feel free to e-mail or call our office after this time, for an update.
Your chances of timely success can depend on early planning and action. We urge you to sign and return one copy of the attached Retainer Agreement as soon as you make your plans.
To proceed quickly, I will be using services of outside co-counsel.
The information on this Web site plus the specific advice we gave you should give you the direction to proceed. Nevertheless, if you do have questions, feel free to contact me at once.
Although we can proceed quickly without a personal meeting, please accept a standing invitation to visit us in our office. Face-to-face communication is always invaluable. To this end you may wish to review maps and request specific instructions via e-mail to find your way.
Since we have not been able to meet, we invite you to review our photographs. This should allow you to match a face with the names of people working on your case.
Immigration needs may arise suddenly. Please note my confidential home telephone number. This is in case you need to contact me after hours on an urgent basis:
2._________________________________[Private home number available to all clients]
Thank you for allowing us to help remove immigration barriers to your business growth. We hope your new immigration status will help you succeed in the U.S.
Sincerely,
LAW OFFICE OF JOSEPH C. GRASMICK
Joseph C. Grasmick
JCG:cg
enc.
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Retainer Agreement
Information Concerning the Matter:
Name of fee payer:
3.________________________________[Name of person or organization responsible for fees]
Legal Fees and Expenses:
I agree to pay these amounts:
4.______________________________[Immigration Matter]
5. US$____________________________[Due before beginning]
6. US$____________________________[Due before application preparation]
(Plus expenses.)
In the event fees become hourly rates are $45 - $325 (can change without notice).
Make all checks payable to: Law Office of Joseph C. Grasmick. The Federal Tax ID # is 22-3058956.
Work begins upon receipt of the first payment with this signed agreement. I will pay in U.S. dollars.
Joseph C. Grasmick and employees are "the attorneys". The law firm is a sole proprietorship.
The attorneys cannot include indirect or direct costs of certain services in fee estimates or fixed fees. This is to keep accounts accurate.
Estimates/fixed fees do not include any expenses, appeals or unusual/unexpected events. They do not include speeding applications ahead of normal processing times or follow up when processing times are past. Not included is personal attorney/paralegal appearances. They assume client meets obligations (see below). They do not include work after the government makes an interim or final decision. Changes in the law can change fees. Clients must request original or revised estimated fees amounts. For multiple matters, fees are the sum total of all amounts.
The attorneys may end this matter if the signer does not make payments when due. Once closed, the attorneys may select one of three options:
- Reopen the matter under another Retainer Agreement.
- Reopen after receiving a service charge.
- Choose not to reopen the matter.
Payments are first credited to oldest amounts due. Payments are due as stated above or when the signer receives bills. Payments are also due before any application filing. Amounts due and collection expenses will be collected by legal action and/or paid from trust balance. The attorneys bill service fees for returned checks.
The attorneys do not bill finance charges when clients pay promptly. Finance charges billed on past due accounts if balance unpaid 30 days after statement date. Late payment finance charge is 1.65% per month. This is an annual 19.8% rate. This rate may change.
All fixed/flat fees are earned when due. The attorneys cannot refund earned fees/expenses even if the matter ends early. Expenses plus hourly value of services, less fees received, are also due if the matter ends prematurely. The attorneys must receive any billing questions within 30 days from the billing date. Otherwise, bills are final.
The attorneys may use paralegals, associates, or contracted services or outside counsel for efficiency.
Scope of Services:
The above legal matter may change. This is because of the uncertainties in U.S. Immigration Law beyond the attorneys' control. The attorneys cannot guarantee success, time required, or maximum fee amount. This agreement begins when received and accepted. The attorneys may withdraw it any time before they accept it. The attorneys need not accept this agreement if my account is overdue.
Obligations of Person Signing:
I will cooperate as required and reveal all relevant facts. I will tell the truth to the attorneys. I will contact the U.S. government only through the attorneys and quickly obtain all documents and information the attorneys request. I will see that other parties in this matter cooperate.
I will deliver important documents in person or by registered mail. I will ask the attorneys in writing to return a document I need back. I will tell the attorneys if they should not use any addresses, telephone, e-mail or fax numbers for confidential information.
Paperwork:
All papers and information kept in this matter are office work product. They are the property of the attorneys. I understand the attorneys do not keep paperwork indefinitely.
Arbitration:
I agree to use binding arbitration to resolve any disputes between us whatsoever---financial or otherwise.
Signatures:
I have read this and agree to retain the attorneys for this matter.
7. _____________________________[Your Signature]
8. _____________________________[Date you sign this]
Attorney Signature_______________________
Date accepted by attorney_________________
Please keep a copy of this Agreement. Send the other signed copy to the address below. Consider using a courier service to help speed up the immigration application. (Regular mail between Canada and the U.S. can take some time.)
Communication between attorneys and clients about fees is very important. For clear communication, this is a "plain English" document. It is on an 8th grade reading level.
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Search | Home | FAQ | News | Order Handbook | E-mail ©1997 Law Office of Joseph C. GrasmickLaw Office of Joseph C. Grasmick, Business Immigration Cyclorama Building, 369 Franklin Street, Suite 300 Buffalo, New York 14202-1725 USA Tel: 716/842-3104 Fax: 716/842-3105 jgrasmick@grasmick.com This Internet Web page is http://www.grasmick.com/hireus.htm |