➤ LOCATION
510 S Dewey Ave, #113
Bartlesville, Ok 74003
☎ CONTACT
Direct: 918.205.0006
jfd@bartlesvillelawyer.com
$ pricing
CONSULTATIONS ARE FREE!
REPRESENTATION $150-$250/Hr*
*discounts available based on case type, case complexity, estimateD travel time, & other factors.
Mission Statement
My mission is to bring you value for value.
Most people can’t afford most attorneys, but in order to grow my client base I know that I have to offer quality legal services at competitive rates. Though my rates have risen somewhat over the years, I remain an affordable option for many who would otherwise be unable to hire representation when they need it. That is my goal.
UPDATE: I am now offering representation for criminal cases. If you have a felony or misdemeanor in Osage County, I can offer competitive hourly and flat rates. Due to the scheduling of certain dockets, I am currently only able to handle misdemeanor cases in Washington County. As for Nowata County, it will be more of a case by case basis to determine whether I can represent you.
The rest of my practice centers on family law - custody, divorce, guardianship, etc. - and all the attendant issues that arise in such proceedings. I also offer counsel on estate planning - wills, transfer on death deeds, powers of attorney, revocable trusts, etc. My other experience includes extensive courtroom time on the protective order and family dockets in Osage and Washington Counties, and an in-depth understanding of Oklahoma water rights laws. Beyond that, I’ve had cursory dealings with other legal issues that were somehow involved in my previous clients’ family law and protective order cases.
As a solo attorney with only five years of practice, I am always looking to expand my knowledge base beyond my areas of specialty. So please feel free to contact me about any legal problems or questions you have - just fill out the form on our contact page or leave me a voicemail.
DISCLAIMER:
I am required by the Rules of Professional Conduct to provide diligent and competent representation to clients. So if your problem is far outside my practice area or more complex than I can handle, I will refer you to an attorney who can better assist you.
The Rules also require me to level with potential clients about my competence and experience in given area of the law. If I believe that I can help you with a problem I haven’t dealt with before, I will consult with more experienced attorneys in that area of law for advice on whether to take the case or refer it to someone else. Various arrangements can be made in these situations. Some of these include: 1) a new attorney co-counseling with an experienced attorney to ensure competent representation, 2) a discounted fee agreement commensurate with my level of experience, 3) referral to a more experienced attorney.
low hourly Rates
Compared to most local attorneys, my hourly rates are low. I will send you detailed statements at least once per quarter regarding what was done in your case, how long it took, etc. You will have days (10) days from receipt of these billing statements to raise any questions or concerns. Payment will be deducted from your retainer at the end of these days (10) days.
Evergreen retainer provision
Each month, after the attorney withdraws the funds he earned and/or expensed, the client will refill the retainer to the agreed-upon level. For example, if I set your retainer at $500, and in the first month of your case I earn/expense $300, then you would pay another $300 into the trust account. This ensures that there are adequate funds to pay for your representation while the case is ongoing.
retainer agreement
If you decide to retain me as your legal counsel, we will review and sign a retainer agreement establishing the terms of our attorney-client relationship. Retainers require the deposit of client funds into a client trust account. Retainer amounts vary from case-to-case and client-to-client based on factors like clients’ monthly income, expenses, expectations, the nature of the work to be performed, and attorney’s current caseload.
base hourly rate
My base hourly rate is set at $150 - $250, depending on the nature and complexity of the case. I don’t have an assistant. When you hire me, I handle every aspect of your case from in-depth legal research to menial tasks like copying and filing. In order to avoid overcharging clients while ensuring I get paid fair compensation for my time, I offer a base hourly rate lower than most attorneys. This rate can be negotiated down somewhat, but only for certain reasons and not across the board in every case. If you schedule a consultation, we can discuss the details then.
Client trust account (iolta)
Client trust accounts are mandated by law in order to protect the financial interests of attorneys and clients. Clients pay attorneys a retainer into their trust account. The attorney earns billable hours each month and pays other costs and expenses necessary to pursuing the client’s case, and once these amounts are invoiced and approved, the money flows from the trust account to the attorney’s operating account.