FAQs
Questions About Cases
When is the best time to contact Phillips & Angley about a possible case or legal representation?
It is best to contact our lawyers as soon as you learn about an issue or problem that may require legal representation or advice. This is because in some types of cases, such as zoning appeals, eminent domain matters, bankruptcy matters, and personal injury cases, there is a very small window of time during which you can assert your claims in a judicial or administrative forum; otherwise you will lose your opportunity to seek damages or other appropriate remedies. Furthermore, for cases that may have been initiated against you, there is also a very narrow timeframe during which you can assert defenses or file responsive motions without otherwise prejudicing your position. Statutes of limitation exist for all types of cases, are governed by statute, regulation or rules of civil procedure, and, in most cases, there are no exceptions if you are late in advancing a claim or a defense. For these reasons, we advise all potential clients to contact us immediately upon learning about a situation that may require an attorney.
Additionally, because we provide planning advice for various types of clients, including matters related to corporate and business matters and real estate development and transactions, it is advisable to contact our office for assistance very early on in the process. This will give our attorneys ample time to determine all legal and other tools that may assist you in reaching your goals in the most time and cost efficient manner.
When calling our office to arrange for an initial consultation, please ask to speak to one of our principals, Jeffrey J. Phillips, Esq. or Jeffrey T. Angley, Esq. Remote consultation options are available.
I have been injured on the job and I would like to pursue monetary compensation for my injuries. What should I do?
Please contact our office to discuss your potential case with principal Jeffrey J. Phillips, Esq. At that time, he will ask you a series of questions related to the event(s) that led to the injury and possible courses of action.
I have been denied a special permit or variance by my local zoning board of appeals for some construction I wanted to undertake on my property. What should I do next?
Please contact our office to discuss your potential case with principal Jeffrey T. Angley, Esq. Because of the limited twenty (20) day appeal period for special permit and variance decisions, it is crucial that you contact Attorney Angley as soon as the written decision is issued, otherwise you risk losing your ability to appeal the decision. At that time, Attorney Angley will request that you forward relevant documents.
Is a lawsuit my only option toward resolution?
No. Our attorneys understand that, in some cases, litigation is often the last resort preferred by clients. For this reason, our firm prides itself on proactively seeking alternative and creative solutions, such as counsel negotiated settlement agreements, third-party mediation or arbitration, when necessary.
About Our Fees
How does Phillips & Angley bill its clients?
We strive to enter into fee agreements that appropriately match our clients’ requirements and which are in accord with standard, reasonable billing rates typically charged by small to mid-sized Boston-based law firms. It is our practice to obtain a retainer at the outset of an engagement, which will then be applied against the actual services we perform and the costs and expenses incurred on your behalf. The amount of such retainer will vary from matter to matter and is subject to agreement. Clients are also charged for out-of-pocket expenses advanced by the firm on their behalf. In addition to traditional hourly fee agreements, we will also consider accepting cases on a contingent fee basis in some circumstances such as personal injury claims.
What types of out-of-pocket expenses are billed to clients?
Typically, these kinds of expenses include (but are not limited to) court filing fees, deposition transcript and stenographer fees, extraordinarily large or unusual copying jobs that cannot be completed in-house, and fees charged by necessary third-party trial and case experts (i.e. engineers, real estate appraisers, etc.).
What billing cycle does our firm use?
For hourly fee arrangements, detailed billing statements are furnished monthly for the services we render and the expenses we incur on our client’s behalf. Invoices identify the legal matter billed, the date the services were performed, the amount of time billed, a description of the services rendered and the resulting total fees. Payment is due upon the client’s receipt of the invoice. In some instances (and subject to prior arrangement with one of the firm’s principals), installment payments may be acceptable.
Does our firm accept payment by credit card?
In most instances, yes.
Questions About Our Attorneys
What courts do your attorneys regularly practice in?
All of the attorneys at Phillips & Angley are licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and regularly appear before the various trial courts (including District Court, Land Court, Superior Court, Probate & Family Court), Massachusetts Appeals Court, and Supreme Judicial Court. Most of our attorneys are also admitted to and routinely appear before the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, United States First Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Bankruptcy Court. Additionally, many of our attorneys have appeared before various administrative tribunals, such as the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
How do your attorneys stay current with laws and trends within their practice areas?
Keeping up with changes in the law is central to being an effective attorney. Our attorneys are members of various associations that provide up-to-date information about legal trends and developments to their members, including the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Massachusetts Real Estate Bar Association, Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Our attorneys also participate in online continuing legal education webinars and attend courses offered by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. and other providers.
How do your attorneys stay in touch with their clients?
Like most businesses and individuals today, our attorneys have regular access to email and often prefer this mode of communication with clients because it is so efficient. Additionally, our attorneys can be reached by telephone during regular business hours. Our lawyers pride themselves on being responsive to clients’ inquiries and proactive in communicating vital information to clients as soon as possible.