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An initial consultation with an attorney is the foundation of your case. This is when the attorney discovers key facts about you and your circumstances, conducts screening and legal analysis to determine what benefits or relief may be available, makes key decisions about benefit eligibility, potential paths of action, and optimal case strategy, and defines choices you will have to make.The purpose of a consultation is to give both you and the attorney enough information to decide where there is a viable case, whether you have or can obtain the documents necessary for such a case, and whether both parties wish to work together toward an agreed common goal.The facts an attorney learns in initial consultation, and case strategy recommendations based on those facts, serve as the foundation of all future actions takes by that attorney in that case. The facts provided at initial consultation also form the basis for the legal fee quoted. It is of the utmost importance to be honest with the attorney. Facts not disclosed to the attorney which come to light later may change the case analysis and strategy recommendations, may close off possible courses of action, and may impact eligibility for benefits, chances of success, timelines, and fees.

It is also crucial to understand what is not contemplated within the scope of an initial consultation. The attorney you consult with has not yet been retained, and has not yet agreed to represent you. For liability reasons, the attorney will not perform the following services as part of a consultation:

• Review forms prepared by you or someone else, that you plan to file on your own.
• Draft or edit letters or affidavits to be submitted in your case.
• Advise you how to answer specific questions on immigration forms.
• Advise you which forms are required for your case.
• Provide document checklists.

Such services may not be covered by the attorney’s malpractice insurance, and may violate DHS regulations on preparing or advising on applications and petitions submitted for a benefit without an attorney of record.

All information provided to the Law Office of Karin Wolman before, during, or in support of your initial consultation is strictly confidential.

My consultation fee is $500, due in advance of appointment. That covers my review of identity & visa status documents, CV, education and other credentials, and/or copies of your prior immigration filings and correspondence from the US government, provided 24 hours ahead in PDF; one Zoom meeting of up to an hour; and one email within two weeks after our meeting for follow-up questions. It does NOT include my review of any forms or letters that you have drafted yourself in preparation for a future filing.

All appointment times are selected by the prospect. Once confirmed, that creates not only a Zoom link for our virtual meeting, but also a calendar-committed time slot during which I cannot take other calls or do other work. If you fail to appear for the meeting as scheduled, there will be a $200 fee to reschedule.

Please note: A consultation is NOT an agreement to ongoing representation – that would be the subject of a Letter of Engagement, to be produced after initial consultation, and which will not be effective until I receive a countersigned digital copy. I cannot set a case fee prior to consultation, as assessing the viability of a case and the strength of documentation are essential to setting the fee, and are part of what an initial consultation is for.

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