FAQs from Potential Clients

Considering legal help for you or your business? Whether you're forming an LLC, drafting a key contract, or planning an acquisition, you likely have questions. At Kalaria Law, we believe in transparent communication from the start. 

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive from potential clients. 

1. When are we actually your attorney? 

This is the most fundamental question, and the answer is clear: We are not your attorney until we are formally engaged. 

Discussing your matter or sharing documents with us does not automatically create an attorney-client relationship. These initial conversations help both of us determine if we are a good fit. 

An attorney-client relationship is formally created when both you and our firm sign a written agreement called an Engagement Letter, which outlines the scope of work, our responsibilities, and fee structure. Only after this letter is signed does our formal duty to you begin. 

2. What is attorney-client privilege? 

Attorney-client privilege is a critical legal protection that encourages open and honest communication between a client and their lawyer. 

The privilege generally protects confidential communications made between you and your attorney for the purpose of seeking or providing legal advice. This means that, in most cases, your attorney cannot be forced to disclose what you tell them in confidence. 

The privilege generally begins when you retain us (i.e., after the Engagement Letter is signed). However, a limited form of privilege may extend to confidential communications made during a preliminary consultation, even if you do not formally hire us, provided the communication was made for the purpose of seeking legal advice. 

To maintain the privilege, you should ensure your communications with us are kept confidential and are directly related to our legal work for you. Be cautious when discussing privileged information with third parties (like friends, family, or business partners who are not part of the representation), as doing so can sometimes waive the privilege. 

3. Do I really need an attorney or can I do this myself? 

Many small business owners are capable and look for ways to save money. While you can handle certain tasks yourself, we urge you to consider the value of working with an attorney. 

For example, handling business entity formation yourself runs the risk of choosing the wrong structure, which can lead to unexpected complications or inefficient taxation. An attorney can advise on the best entity type for liability and tax purposes.

Relying on generic templates for contract drafting can leave out critical clauses or expose you to unnecessary risk in your specific industry. An experienced attorney tailors contracts to your unique business needs and minimizes future disputes. 

Hiring a transactional attorney is an investment in stability and risk mitigation, helping you grow your business on a solid legal foundation. 

4. What is the difference between a transactional attorney and a litigation attorney? 

A transactional attorney focuses on proactive legal work, such as drafting contracts, forming entities, and structuring deals, to prevent future disputes. A litigation attorney focuses on reacting to and resolving ongoing disputes in court, arbitration, or mediation. As a transactional firm, we focus on helping you build and grow, staying out of the courtroom. 

5. How do you charge for your services? 

Our fee structures vary based on the project. We typically use a combination of the following: 

• Retainer or Upfront Fee: Initial payment made to secure a lawyer’s services. 

• Flat Fee: Fixed price for specific, defined legal services (e.g., forming a standard LLC, drafting a simple contract). 

• Hourly Rate: Billed based on the time spent on a legal matter, used for complex, unpredictable, or ongoing work (e.g., contract negotiations, M&A). 

• Subscription: Consistent monthly fee for specified range of legal services. 

We will clearly outline the fee structure for each client in their Engagement Letter. 

6. How long will my legal matter take? 

The timeline depends heavily on the matter. Entity formation can often be completed quickly, but complex matters like buying or selling a business typically take several months. This includes time for due diligence, negotiation, and financing. We will provide an estimated timeline upfront. 

7. Will I work with you directly? 

Yes. As a boutique firm, we pride ourselves on personalized, accessible, and responsive service. 

Ready to start? Click here to schedule a consultation with Kalaria Law today.