What happens when you call.
No mystery. No call-center triage. Here is what to expect when you reach out, exactly what we'll ask, what's worth bringing, and what happens after the call ends.
Confidential
Whether you hire us or not, what you tell us is protected.
20–30 minutes
Most consults run that long. Longer if the facts need it.
No obligation
No pressure to hire, no sales pitch, no hidden fees.
The walkthrough
Step by step, what the call looks like.
- 01
You reach me directly.
When you call (314) 467-8280, you reach the attorney. Not an intake coordinator, not a paralegal, not a screener. If I'm in court or with another client, you'll get a callback the same day.
- 02
Tell me what happened.
In your own words. I'll listen first, ask questions second. Don't rehearse anything. The shape of the case starts with the facts you remember most clearly.
- 03
Specific questions.
I'll ask about the date, location, parties, witnesses, medical care or arrest details, insurance involved, and anything that's already happened (statements you've given, offers you've received, court dates that have been set).
- 04
Honest assessment.
At the end of the call you'll know whether you have a case worth pursuing, what kind of timeline to expect, what factors will matter most, and what the realistic outcome ranges look like. If your case isn't a fit for this firm, I'll tell you why and refer you to someone who is.
- 05
Discussion of fees.
On personal injury matters, I lay out the contingency tiers (33.3% pre-suit, 40% if filed, 45% if appealed) and the cost structure. On criminal cases, I quote a flat-fee retainer based on the charge, complexity, and likely path. Paid up front, scoped to your case. No surprises later.
- 06
What happens next.
You decide whether to hire the firm. There is no pressure either way. If we move forward, I send a written engagement agreement, we schedule the first substantive steps (preservation letters, evidence requests, court filings), and the case starts.
What to bring
Helpful, not required.
You don't need any of this to call. The consultation works fine if you just have your story. But if you have access to any of the below, the call goes deeper, faster.
If it's a personal injury matter
- Police report or incident number
- Insurance information for everyone involved
- Photos of the scene, injuries, or property damage
- Any letters or recordings already from insurance
- Medical bills, ER paperwork, or current treatment notes
- Names and numbers of witnesses
If it's a criminal matter
- Citation, summons, or arrest paperwork
- Bond paperwork or court date notice
- Notice of suspension or revocation, if any
- Any prior contact with this case (probable cause statement, complaint)
- Names of arresting agency and officer if you have them
- Anything you've already signed or said on record
If you don't have these materials in front of you, that's fine. The conversation moves forward regardless and we'll request what we need afterward.
What it costs
Nothing.
The consultation is free. You aren't billed for the time, you aren't billed for follow-up questions, you aren't asked for a credit card to schedule. If you decide not to hire the firm, you owe nothing.
If you do hire the firm: personal injury cases run on contingency, which means we are paid only if you recover. Criminal cases are handled on a flat-fee retainer paid up front, scoped to the case at engagement. Payment plans available on the retainer. The full breakdown is on the fees page.
Confidentiality
What you tell me stays between us.
Even if you don't end up hiring the firm, the prospective-client privilege protects what you tell me during the consultation. You can speak openly. The conversation is not used against you, not shared with the other side, and not retained in a way that could be subpoenaed against you.
The exception, common to every firm: if I learn the matter would create a conflict with someone the firm already represents, I'll stop the conversation, decline to hear more facts, and recommend a different firm.
Ready when you are.
The call is free. The information is honest. The next step is yours.
Your free case review
starts with one call.
Tell us what happened. We'll tell you whether you have a case, what it's worth, and what happens next. No pressure, no obligation, no sales pitch.
Available 24/7 for emergencies · Licensed in Missouri and Illinois