Atlanta Business, Real Estate, & Estate Planning Attorneys

How do I know if I have a case?

If you are unsure whether you have a legal issue or legal matter that requires an attorney, the best way to find out is to take advantage of our free consultation to discuss your options with one of our attorneys. If you know that you have a legal matter, consulting with an attorney should be your default position unless you are a trained legal professional. For the same reason you should not rely on “Dr. Google” for medical advice, you should not turn to the internet for legal advice. Involving an attorney early on is the best way to save time and money as well as secure the desired outcome.

Do I need to hire an attorney?

While some legal disputes or issues are apparent from the outset, others are less clear. The best way to know if you need legal representation is to discuss the relevant facts and circumstances with one of our attorneys during your free consultation.

What type of clients do you usually work with?

Our client base predominantly consists of business owners, real estate professionals, and families.

Where are you clients from?

We have represented clients in every state in the United States. We also provide legal representation to clients outside of the U.S., including clients in countries such as Great Brittain, China, and the Philippines. We have attorneys licensed to practice in Georgia, Florida, New York, and South Carolina.

What is the first step in hiring you?

Calling us to schedule a free consultation is the first step toward hiring us for your legal needs. Unlike many law firms, you will meet with a Thrift McLemore attorney, not a support staff member, at your consultation.

Why should we choose Thrift McLemore?

We encourage you to consider our experience, resources, and dedication when choosing Thrift McLemore for your legal needs. More importantly, you are more than a case file to us. As such, we will treat you as the unique person that you are, always mindful that we are counselors first and lawyers second. Moreover, we speak human, not lawyer, to help ensure that you are comfortable discussing and participating in the handling of your case.

Do I have to come into your office for consultation?

We understand that your time is valuable, which is why we offer in-person consultations as well as telephone and video consultations to accommodate your preference and schedule.

Who is going to work on my case?

At Thrift McLemore, we are fortunate to have attorneys with extensive experience in a variety of areas of the law. With that in mind, the attorney who works with you on your legal matter will be the attorney who has the relevant experience and skills. Our collaborative approach to representation often means that several attorneys will contribute to developing a strategy for, or resolution of, your case.

Can you provide references of companies like mine you have worked with?

We understand that choosing an attorney to represent you or your business is an important decision, and we want you to be comfortable with your choice. Once we have a clear understanding of the nature of your legal matter, we are happy to share contact information for select clients from whom you may ascertain references.

Do you offer alternative ways other than trial to settle a case?

Yes. We excel at negotiating resolutions that benefit our clients while also avoiding the time and expense of litigation. We also utilize alternative dispute resolution options, such as mediation, whenever appropriate.

Can you help me if my case goes to trial?

Yes. While we do our best to avoid the need for formal litigation, we are always prepared to go to trial and aggressively represent your interests inside the courtroom.

How do you approach negotiation versus litigation?

Litigation can be time-consuming, costly, and stressful, which is why our goal is to avoid formal litigation whenever possible. We typically attempt to negotiate a favorable resolution or engage in mediation in an effort to resolve a dispute without litigation. Sometimes, however, litigation is advantageous or even necessary to achieve a client’s desired outcome.

How do you communicate with clients and how will you keep me updated on my case?

Our goal is to form a true relationship with each client that we serve. In furtherance of that goal, we try to communicate with clients using the method most convenient for them, including telephone calls, text messages, emails, and even snail mail. You will get an update from us regarding the status of your case at least every 30 days and all material developments will be communicated when they occur.

Can you help me start a business?

Consulting with an attorney during the business creation process is the best way to ensure that your business has a solid legal framework that discourages disputes and protects against potential legal risks.

Can you help me minimize legal risks for my company?

Absolutely! Preventing legal disputes and problems is crucial to the success of your company. Minimizing legal risks is akin to a pilot conducting a pre-flight check of the airplane. Each checked box may seem insignificant; however, failing to check a box may lead to catastrophic failure. Protecting your business operates in much the same way. Each step you take now to prevent legal risks, before a problem arises, creates a solid foundation on which your business can grow and thrive.

Establishing an asset protection trust, for example, can place crucial assets outside of the reach of creditors while a business succession planning component within your comprehensive estate plan can ensure that your business continues to successfully operate if you suddenly become incapacitated.

How do you bill for your services?

Your legal matter may be billed hourly, using a flat fee rate, or through a contingency fee. As the name implies, hourly billing involves a detailed record of all time spent on your case billed at an agreed-upon hourly rate. A flat fee arrangement means that you are billed a pre-determined fee without regard to how much time is spent on your case and a contingency fee means that you pay nothing upfront. Instead, we only receive a fee if we are successful in recovering money for you. The type of fee structure used for your case will depend on the type of case.

Will I be required to pay a retainer fee?

Whether a retainer fee is required will depend on how your case is billed. If you are billed hourly, a retainer fee will be required to initiate legal representation. Time spent on your case is then billed against that retainer.

Do you offer payment plans?

We understand that legal fees can be significant and are often unexpected. To help ensure that you receive legal representation when you need it, we offer both in-house and third-party financing to help cover your legal expenses.

Can you tell me how much my case will cost?

We will provide you with our best estimate at the beginning of your case; however, the longer we represent you the more clarity we will have regarding the overall costs you will likely incur.