Getting Started

Your initial visit and consultation with Luxenberg & Johnsos, PC is an important one; we structure it to minimize stress and maximize our efforts toward the best results. This initial consultation is scheduled after we have done a “conflicts check” to make sure we will have no ethical conflicts of interest in meeting with you. These meetings usually take place in our Bethesda, Maryland, Washington, DC or Vienna, Virgina offices, Monday through Friday during regular business hours. We also do telephone or email consultations, particularly for international clients.

You will meet one-on-one with one of our attorneys. It is helpful if you fill out our initial client questionnaire. Based on the information you provide as well as other information communicated during the interview, we will discuss your concerns, the applicable law(s), and your options. Together we will determine whether or not you need legal assistance, when you may need it, and what type of legal assistance you need. If appropriate, we will also discuss other resources. A fixed fee is charged for our initial consultations, payable at the time of your meeting.

We use the phrase “whether or not you need legal assistance” above, because people sometimes consult with us for a reality check and for future planning. Any number of legal questions may be resolved in one meeting.

If you need legal counsel, and if we determine that working together is in your best interest, we will begin by signing an engagement agreement, commonly called a “retainer.” The retainer sets out in writing our scope of work together, how you will be charged for our services, and your rights and obligations as a client of our firm. Usually, an advance payment of fees and costs is due when we begin work on your case.

An initial consultation form can be downloaded from the link on this page, filled in and faxed or mailed to our offices prior to your visit, helping to make the meeting even more productive.