Everybody loves receiving items, whether it be pens, coffee cups, magnets, bumper stickers or sound legal advice, especially when it is free. Typically, an hour of sound legal advice may cost someone from $100.00 to $300.00. Many law firms, in an effort to make legal advice easily available to the general public, offer absolutely free initial consultations. Unfortunately, many people who are in need of timely legal advice are under the mistaken impression that they cannot afford to meet with an attorney.

Many new clients are surprised to learn that not only is the initial consultation free, but depending on the type of legal matter, an attorney may be willing to represent the individual with no initial legal fees. For example, personal injury and worker's compensation cases are most often handled by attorneys for a contingent fee. A contingent fee is a legal fee paid to an attorney from the settlement proceeds of a particular legal matter. Simply stated, if an attorney agrees to represent you for a contingent fee and fails to make a financial recovery on your behalf, you would not owe the attorney a fee for his services. Even more importantly, an attorney working for a contingent fee has every incentive to maximize your settlement or recovery. As the monetary amount of your case increases, so does the potential fee earned by the attorney.

Understand that not all legal matters can be handled by a contingent fee arrangement. You may also discover, after a free initial consultation, that your legal matter will not require you to formally retain legal counsel. In either instance, following a legal consultation, you will be a better educated and informed customer, as you proceed to deal with the legal matters you face.

It is quite possible that the only thing that everyone likes as much "free stuff", is a "sure thing." Remember, the next time any legal questions confront you and you need some professional advice, do the sure thing and schedule a free consultation. You have absolutely nothing to lose and many things to gain.