(Updated 7/21/10)
What are your telephone hours?
10 AM-midnight, every day.
How can I send you documents?
By e-mail to mike@mikestonelaw.com , or by fax to (310) 861-0647.
What are your office hours?
By appointment.
Approximately from Van Nuys and Santa Monica in the northwest to Irvine or Laguna Beach in the southeast, and Pomona or Rancho Cucamonga in the northeast.
Do you charge for initial consultations?
Not usually, but I reserve the right to make exceptions. I'll tell you in advance.
If I miss my appointment, will you give me another one?
Possibly.
Are your services free?
No.
I already paid another lawyer lots of money, and he did nothing for me, and I don't have any money left, so you'll have to work for free.
I don't think so.
I am considering several lawyers. Will you underbid them?
Probably not. This isn't Priceline.
Do you take credit cards?
Yes, through paypal.com, please inquire.
Can I retain you via e-mail or fax?
Sure. The state bar requires a fee agreement if the estimated fees are $1000 or more.
Do you carry malpractice insurance?
No, it's too expensive, and I'd have to increase my fees to where you might not be able to afford them.
Do you e-file in any courts?
Yes, in all federal district and bankruptcy courts serving Southern California.
Possibly in very rare cases where there is a clear likelihood of recovery and a source of payment. Please DO NOT make an appointment expecting this type of fee arrangement unless you have discussed it with me in advance.
Can I get help from "legal aid"?
Highly Doubtful.
I want to sue my employer, but I left all my time records and notes at work when they fired me. Can you get these things back for me?
No. You used poor judgment.
What is the time limit for filing a lawsuit?
It depends.
What happens if I don't file a lawsuit within the legal time limit?
You're out of luck.
No. You are an idiot. Your parents forgot to teach you how to assert
your constitutional rights.
What about the public defender?
If you want to plead guilty, maybe that's a good option for you. But in almost all cases you'll fare far more poorly than if you retained private counsel.
Possibly. For sure I can stop it for the time being with a few keystrokes.
I think I was served with a lawsuit incorrectly, what should I do?
Respond to the lawsuit within the time limit stated on the summons.
On the Summons form, it says all I have to do is fill out a form to respond to this lawsuit.
This is horribly misleading. If you don't know what you're doing, you could neglect to put down, and thereby waive, possibly valid defenses to the lawsuit.
My wages were garnished or my property was taken, and I never received a lawsuit.
You will get one shot at having the judgment set aside so you can defend the case. Don't blow it. Call me immediately.