Frequently Asked Questions

Crumpton Law represents a number of small businesses and individuals, some of whom have experience in working with an attorney, and others who have never hired one. Accordingly, Crumpton Law provides the following list of answers to frequently asked questions for the benefit of our clients.

What is the process for retaining the services of Crumpton Law?

1) Contact Crumpton Law. The first step to retain Crumpton Law to represent you or your business is to contact the firm by phone, email, or the contact page of this website.

2) Initial Consultation. Once you have contacted Crumpton Law, the firm will either discuss your matter over the telephone or set up a time to meet in—person. Crumpton Law will then conduct a conflict check within its database of current clients to assure that your matter is not adverse to any existing Crumpton Law clients.

3) Engagement Letter. After the consultation, Crumpton Law will send you an engagement letter, which outlines the terms of the attorney—client relationship and the agreement between you or your company and Crumpton Law.

4) Retainer/Legal Fee Payment. Crumpton Law will request a retainer or advance payment of legal fees from you or your company to retain the firm’s legal services. This payment may be made on—line by credit card.

5) Legal Services. Once the retainer or legal fee payment has been received, Crumpton Law will provide legal services to you in a responsive, professional manner.

What is a retainer?

A retainer is a deposit against future legal fees to be billed by Crumpton Law. The retainer will be deposited into a separate client trust account. Once you or your company incurs legal fees, Crumpton Law will send a bill to you and transfer the amount of fees incurred from the retainer in the client trust account to the firm’s operating account.

How are legal fees paid?

While there are a variety of ways in which lawyers are compensated, Crumpton Law uses three compensation methods, depending upon the facts and circumstances and the legal services requested.

Hourly Rates. The most common legal fee is an hourly rate. This rate is used for most litigation and transactional business matters. Crumpton Law’s current hourly rate is $175 per hour.

Contingency Fees. Occasionally, Crumpton Law will accept a matter on a contingency basis, which means that the client is not required to pay any attorney’s fees unless Crumpton Law successfully recovers money on the client’s behalf. This payment method is typically reserved for personal injury cases. Crumpton Law rarely, if ever, takes contract dispute matters on a contingency basis.

Flat Fees. Flat Fee rates allow clients to budget and predict the costs for their legal services. Crumpton Law is pleased to offer flat fee rates for many of our services, including many music and entertainment, entrepreneurial business, and non-profit matters.

Please see the flat fee services page for more information.

What form of payment is accepted?

Crumpton Law accepts cash, check, and credit card, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. For credit card payments, an invoice will be sent by email through Paypal, a free and fast payment service.

What is Crumpton Law’s philosophy on billing?

Crumpton Law believes that the client — not lawyers — should be in control of a client’s legal matter. Consistent with that belief, the firm does not “nickel and dime” its clients in attorney’s fees and we strive to provide our clients with a range of time that will be expended on matters that are billed hourly. We provide our clients with an anticipated litigation budget upon request.

Can you provide a list of references from former clients?

Crumpton Law is pleased to provide references upon request.

Does Crumpton Law offer pro bono representation?

Crumpton Law provides pro bono services in Columbus through the Vineyard Church of Columbus Legal Clinic and in the Cleveland area through referrals from Christ Church.