Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC welcomes you and offers the following information to help familiarize new clients with the process of working with our firm.

Free Initial Consultation
There is absolutely no charge for your first conference with us concerning your matter. Questions about our standard rates and any associated fees you may be charged will be answered by the attorney with whom you consult.

Fees
Our clients are billed primarily on an hourly basis. An initial down payment (or "retainer deposit") is generally required before legal services are rendered, and a written retainer agreement must be signed. The minimum retainer deposit is usually $500.00 and may be higher based upon the matter involved. Questions about fees and costs are welcomed and encouraged.

Fee estimates for a given matter are only rough approximations of our anticipated charges, excluding costs and expenses. Fee estimates do not include required legal research, unanticipated developments, litigation, or unexpected action to respond to steps taken by an adverse party. We will, however, do our best to provide you with good faith estimates based on our knowlege and experience.

Billing
A monthly statement will be mailed to you at the beginning of each month detailing the work performed and costs advanced for you during the preceding month. Costs advanced might include filing fees, deposition fees, photocopy charges, long distance telephone charges and any other expenses the firm incurred on your behalf. Pursuant to the our policies, costs exceeding $200.00 will not be advanced.

Telephone calls
Telephone calls to and from the firm related to your case will ordinarily be charged to you on an hourly basis.

Communication
We will keep you advised of the status of your legal matter. You will receive copies of all pertinent letters, documents, pleadings, briefs and other materials that are received or transmitted regarding your legal matter.

Confidentiality
By law, a lawyer cannot be compelled in most situations to divulge information the client provides, unless the client agrees to allow the lawyer to do so. Our lawyers and staff keep all legal matters completely confidential. Any information given to us will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be disclosed without your permission. At your request, any confidential papers you have provided will be returned to you at the conclusion of your legal matter.

Your Attorney
There will be generally be one primary attorney responsible for your legal matter, and this will be your contact person. Other attorneys and staff will often assist the primary attorney in order to ensure that your matter is handled as efficiently as possible.

Legal Disclaimer
Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC ("H&J") is a Minnesota professional limited liability company whose lawyers are licensed to practice law in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. H&J authored the material located at www.hjlawfirm.com and any linked micro-sites ("Sites") unless otherwise noted. Accessing the Sites is a request for information, but the information therein does not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney/client relationship. Unsolicited information sent to H&J by persons who are not clients of the H&J is not subject to any duty of confidentiality on the part of H&J. The Sites introduce you to H&J and are intended to serve as a resource for general information pertinent to H&J's areas of legal practice. H&J does not promise or guarantee that the information on the Sites is correct, complete or current. The Sites are not intended be a source of legal advice, and the information the Sites contain does not represent an invitation to enter into an attorney-client relationship. You should not rely on any information provided by the Sites, and should always seek the advice of competent legal counsel licensed to practice in the applicable state. Links to other web sites are not intended to be referrals or endorsements of the linked entities. If you object to H&J providing a link to your web site we will remove it on request. State laws and ethical rules regarding communications with the public and potential clients vary, and H&J complies only with the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, which may be different than those governing the your state. You should not rely on this site in selecting an attorney to represent you but upon more detailed information available from the firms you are considering. Do not rely on the Sites to select H&J for representation if this site does not comply with rules in your state or country.

The following notice is required by rule of the Supreme Court of Iowa: The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. A description or indication of limitation of practice does not mean that any agency or board has certified such lawyer as a specialist or expert in an indicated field of law practice, nor does it mean that such lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer. All potential clients are urged to make their own independent investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered. Memberships and offices in legal fraternities and legal societies, technical and professional licenses, and memberships in scientific, technical and professional associations and societies of law or field of practice do not mean that a lawyer is a specialist or expert in a field of law, nor do they mean that such lawyer is necessarily any more competent than any other lawyer. All potential clients are urged to make their own independent investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered.