Frequently Asked Questions

Your initial consultation is completely free and carries no obligation. We believe everyone deserves access to legal guidance, which is why we offer this at no cost. During the consultation, we'll review your situation, answer your questions, and provide honest advice about your options — with no pressure to retain our services.

You can reach us in several ways: call us at (212) 555-1234, fill out the contact form on our website, or email us at info@sterlinglaw.com. We respond to all new inquiries within 2 hours during business hours (Mon–Fri, 9 AM–6 PM), and we have a 24/7 emergency line for urgent matters.

Bring any documents related to your legal matter — the more context you can provide, the more useful our consultation will be. Helpful items typically include any police reports, incident reports, or official documents. Don't worry if you don't have everything — we can guide you on gathering what's needed.

Absolutely. We offer consultations by phone, video call (Zoom or Teams), or in person at our Park Avenue office. Virtual meetings are available at the same times as in-person appointments and are equally productive. Many of our clients handle their entire case remotely.

Yes, for personal injury and many civil cases we work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing upfront and we only collect a fee if we win or settle your case. The exact percentage varies by case type and will be fully explained before you sign any agreement. There are no hidden costs or surprises.

For matters such as business law, estate planning, real estate, and family law, we typically charge an hourly rate or a flat fee depending on the complexity of the work. Some family law matters may be handled on a retainer basis. We will always provide a clear fee estimate before beginning any work, and billing is fully transparent with detailed monthly statements.

For contingency fee cases, there are no upfront attorney fees. However, there may be case expenses such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or deposition costs that are advanced by our firm and reimbursed at the conclusion of the case. We will outline all potential expenses during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect.

Yes. For hourly and flat-fee matters, we offer flexible payment arrangements tailored to your situation. We understand that legal fees can be stressful, and we work with our clients to find billing options that are manageable. Please discuss this openly during your consultation — we are happy to accommodate where we can.

Case timelines vary widely depending on complexity, the opposing party, and whether the matter goes to trial. Simple settlements may resolve in a few months; complex litigation can take 1–3 years. During your consultation, we'll give you a realistic timeline based on the specific facts of your situation — and we'll keep you updated at every step of the process.

At Justice, you will have direct access to your assigned attorney throughout your case. While our support staff assists with administrative tasks, all legal strategy, decisions, and meaningful communication are handled by your attorney personally. You will always know who is working on your case and can reach them directly.

The vast majority of civil cases settle before reaching trial. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial — this approach consistently results in better settlements because opposing parties know we are willing and able to fight in court. If trial is necessary to achieve justice for you, our experienced trial attorneys are ready to do exactly that.

We provide regular status updates by phone or email depending on your preference. You'll receive notification of every significant development — filings, hearings, offers, and responses — and you can contact your attorney directly at any time with questions. We also send a monthly summary of activity on your case so you always know where things stand.

We take client satisfaction very seriously. If you have concerns, we encourage you to raise them directly with your attorney — open communication is the best first step. If needed, you can also speak with our managing partner. You always have the right to discharge our firm at any time, although we hope to resolve any issues before it comes to that.

Our personal injury practice covers a wide range of cases including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, workplace injuries, defective product liability, construction accidents, and wrongful death claims. If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, we can help.

Yes. Our criminal defense team handles the full spectrum — from misdemeanor charges like DUI and disorderly conduct to serious felonies including assault, drug offenses, white-collar crimes, and federal charges. We believe everyone deserves a rigorous defense regardless of the nature of the charge.

Yes. Whether your divorce is amicable or highly contested, our family law attorneys are experienced in both. For uncontested divorces we can help streamline the process efficiently and cost-effectively. For contested matters involving property division, custody, and support disputes, we advocate firmly for your interests while remaining focused on minimizing conflict and protecting your family.

Don't worry — that's exactly what the free consultation is for. Simply contact us and describe your situation in your own words. We'll direct you to the right attorney and practice area, and if your matter involves multiple areas of law, we'll coordinate across our team to ensure you receive comprehensive representation.

Absolutely. All communications between you and our firm are protected by attorney-client privilege. This applies from your very first consultation — even before a formal representation agreement is signed. You can speak freely and honestly without fear of disclosure. Our entire team is bound by strict confidentiality obligations.

No. A consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. That relationship is only formally established when a signed representation agreement is in place. However, the information you share during a consultation is still protected as confidential — we take that responsibility seriously from the very first conversation.

Your personal information is never shared with third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law or necessary to advance your case (for example, with expert witnesses or co-counsel, subject to their own confidentiality obligations). Please review our Privacy Policy for complete details.

We are licensed in New York State and serve clients across all five boroughs — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island — as well as Long Island, Westchester, and surrounding counties. We can also handle federal matters throughout the state. Many clients work with us entirely remotely from across New York.

Our main office is located at 123 Park Avenue, Suite 1500, New York, NY 10017. We are conveniently situated in Midtown Manhattan, easily accessible by subway (4, 5, 6, and 7 lines) and by car. Parking is available nearby. We can also visit clients at their location for mobility-related needs.

Our regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Saturday appointments are available by arrangement. We are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

However, for urgent legal matters — such as an arrest or emergency injunction — we maintain a 24/7 emergency line at (212) 555-1234.