How this works
Most personal injury firms fall into two groups. Large firms with the resources to try a case, which screen hard and pass on anything below a certain size. And smaller firms that take those cases but settle almost everything, because they do not try cases and the other side knows it.
I run a different structure. I take the case, I give you a straight assessment, and if it needs a trial lawyer, I bring one in.
The co-counsel model
"Co-counsel" means a second law firm joins your case. Here that firm is a trial firm, and I bring it in when a case needs the credible ability to go to verdict. In plain terms:
- One client agreement. You sign one representation agreement, with me. You do not sign a separate contract with the trial firm.
- One total fee. You pay a single contingency fee — the percentage in your agreement.
- I split the fee with the trial firm. We divide that one fee in proportion to the work and responsibility each of us carries.
- The split does not raise your cost. Your total fee is the same whether or not a trial firm is involved. The split is our arrangement, not yours.
- I stay counsel of record. I remain your lawyer of record and stay on the case through to resolution.
Sources: Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6147 (written contingency fee agreement); Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.5.1 (division of a fee among lawyers not in the same firm, requiring a written agreement between the lawyers, the client's written consent after full written disclosure, and that the total fee not be increased solely because the fee is being divided).
Why trial-readiness is leverage
Insurance companies keep records on lawyers. They know which firms file suit, which take depositions, which pick juries, and which fold at the courthouse steps. A claim handled by a firm that never tries cases is worth less to the insurer, because the downside of saying no is smaller.
A case that cannot credibly go to trial has no leverage. Bringing in a trial lawyer restores it, without sending you to a large firm that might decline the case on size.
The fee and the costs
We work on a contingency fee, meaning no attorney's fee unless we recover for you. Clients remain responsible for case costs advanced, including if there is no recovery.
I advance the case costs — records, filing fees, expert charges, deposition costs — as the case goes, and take them back from any recovery. Your agreement spells out how costs work if there is no recovery. I resolve medical liens and health-plan reimbursements out of the recovery at the end.
The engagement sequence
- Conflict check. I ask first for the date, the location, and the names of everyone involved, and check them against my database before anything else. As a solo, a conflict is absolute — I cannot represent you if I already represent someone connected to your case.
- Case review call. We go through the facts. It is not legal advice, and I will not put a value on your claim.
- Assessment. I tell you whether the case holds up and where it is weak. If it does not, you hear that.
- Written agreement. If I take the case and you want to proceed, we are on once you sign the agreement — not before.
Submitting this does not create an attorney-client relationship until a written agreement is signed.
Start a case review call
On a case review call, I go through the facts with you: what happened, when, whether you were hurt, whether anyone represents you, and how to reach you. It is not legal advice, and I will not put a value on your claim.
Common questions
- What is co-counsel?
- A second law firm that joins your case, usually to handle trial. You still have one lawyer of record — me — and one client agreement. The trial firm and I work the case together and split the fee between us.
- Does bringing in a trial lawyer cost me more?
- No. You pay one contingency fee, the same fee you agreed to at the start. The trial firm and I split that one fee based on the work each did. The split is between the lawyers and does not change your total.
- Who stays in charge of my case?
- I do. I stay counsel of record and stay on the case through resolution. The trial firm adds trial capacity; it does not take over your relationship with me.
- Why does this matter?
- An insurer values your lawyer. A firm that cannot or will not try the case has little leverage in settlement. Bringing in a trial lawyer keeps that leverage without sending you to a big firm that might not take the case at all.