Litigation FAQ

WHAT ARE THE STEPS THAT I WILL FOLLOW IF I MUST LITIGATE?

See our Blueprint of a Case

WHAT DO YOU CHARGE FOR AN INITIAL CONSULATION?

There is never a charge for initial consultations.

WHAT IS A CONTINGENT FEE?

The Law Offices of Vonde M. Smith, PC accepts contingent fee cases. This means that the law firm advances the costs of litigation which include out-of-pocket expenses like deposition fees, court reporting fees, filing fees, investigation costs, attorney travel costs, expert fees, document retrieval and preparation fees, legal research retrieval fees.  These costs are documented and deducted from your recovery, if any.  While we can pay these costs for you during the lawsuit, you remain responsible for them. Additionally, the attorney’s fee is deducted at the resolution of your case.  If there is no recovery, you do not owe the attorney. 

Contingent fees are carefully regulated by the organizations that regulate professional conduct for lawyers.  The Wyoming State Bar has rules governing the use of contingent fees and provides a sample contingent fee agreement.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHETHER YOU WILL TAKE MY CASE?

Unfortunately, we are not able to help all of the people who contact us. We assess case individually.  Sometimes we will investigate a case or do research on pertinent issues to decide whether we can help you. Sometimes, if we are unable to help you, we know of other lawyers who can help, and we will refer you to them.

I DON'T LIVE IN WYOMING. CAN YOU TAKE MY CASE?

Yes.  If a case needs to be filed in a state other than Wyoming, we associate with competent local counsel and work closely with them on your case. Since we associate with local counsel we are able to appear and practice in states where we are not licensed.  This arrangement does not result to additional fees to the client.