FAQs Regarding The Law Office of Jennifer M. Settles
What are the Firm's practice areas?
- Fractional General Counsel Services
- Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
- Commercial Contracts
- Commercial Real Estate
- Financing Transactions
- Business Entities
- Corporate Law and Governance
How much are the Firm's legal fees?
The Law Office of Jennifer M. Settles offers a variety of flexible billing options, depending on the client's needs and the type of matter in question. Options include low hourly rates, flat fees, capped (or “not-to-exceed”) fees, success fees, phased billing, and monthly subscriptions. These different billing structures are discussed below.
Our fees are low because we want to provide our clients with great value. Our fee structure will always be discussed with the client in advance and reflected in a written fee agreement. In certain cases, a retainer or advance payment may be required.
At the Law office of Jennifer M. Settles, there will never be a surprise fee.
How does a flat fee work?
Exactly as it sounds, a flat fee is simply a fixed fee amount that the attorney and client agree upon in advance. The precise scope of work is detailed in the fee agreement, so that there is a clear understanding of what exactly is included. Flat fees are especially useful for clients who prefer predictable costs, and for matters with a defined and clear scope.
How does a capped fee work?
Under a capped fee structure, the Firm's fees are based on an agreed-upon hourly rate, with a “not to exceed” cap in place. In some cases, the final fee will be below the cap, and in some cases the final fee will equal the cap.
How does a success fee structure work?
Under a success fee structure (sometimes called a "collar"), the agreed-upon flat fee is reduced by a pre-established amount if there is no successful outcome, and is increased by the pre-established amount if there is a successful outcome. For example, in a Merger and Acquisition (M&A) deal, a success fee structure could be based on an agreed upon flat fee amount, and if the transaction does not close, the client would be entitled to a 15% reduction off the flat fee; and if the transaction does close, the law firm would be entitled to a 15% premium over the flat fee. Under this fee structure, the attorney and client share transactional risk as it relates to the legal fees. A collar typically ranges from 10-20% of the flat fee amount.
What are contingency fees, and do you accept cases on a contingency fee basis?
Lawyers and clients sometimes use contingency fee arrangements in cases where money is being claimed, such as cases involving personal injury, workers' compensation, or real estate condemnations. Under a contingent fee structure, the client pays a contingent fee to the lawyer only if the lawyer handles the case successfully, with the contingency fee being a percentage of the amount recovered for the client. Our Firm does not typically take cases on a contingency basis.
Why was the Law Office of Jennifer M. Settles established?
Having worked in the legal industry for 25 years as both a provider and consumer of attorneys' services, Jennifer noticed that there was a shortage of experienced business lawyers available to clients at an affordable rate. To meet this need, Jennifer combined her depth and breadth of experience in multiple areas of business law, with a no-nonsense and highly personalized "white glove" client-centric approach, and the Law Office of Jennifer M. Settles was born. The Firm was founded on Jennifer's passion for helping founders and other business owners achieve rich lives of personal, professional, and financial fulfillment.
Why should I hire the Law Office of Jennifer M. Settles?
Jennifer M. Settles, Esq. is the Managing Partner of the Law Office of Jennifer M. Settles, located in Tempe, Arizona. She has practiced law for over 25 years and has a unique combination of depth and breadth of experience in M&A transactions, commercial contracts, financings, real estate deals, corporate law, and governance. Her clients benefit from her breadth of experience, creativity, strategic approach, integrity, and low fees. By working with the Law Office of Jennifer M. Settles, our clients save time, save money, reduce risk, and get the top results that they deserve.
Moreover, we are committed to delivering the highest value to our clients. Our value proposition is more than just a promise - it's our driving force!
As stated by the America Bar Association, clients should feel free to compare various attorneys, but should not just shop for the lowest fee. The cheapest lawyer is not necessarily the worst or the best, and the most expensive one may not be the right one for you. Prospective clients should consider factors such as personality, time availability, and experience in their problem area.
What's it like to work with the Law Office of Jennifer M. Settles?
Smooth and easy . . . are two words that come to mind.
Jennifer seeks to make the client experience stress-free. For this reason, there is never any drama, complications, or wasted time when working with our Firm.
The Law Office of Jennifer M. Settles operates with total professionalism. By viewing herself as an extension of the client itself, Jennifer has high standards and a solid work ethic. Clients can rest assured that their interests will be taken seriously, and presented and fought for with creativity, vigor, professionalism, skill and strategy.
Jennifer's values include integrity, clear communication, strategic thinking, long-term value creation, shorter-term wins, and creativity.
We return calls and emails quickly, and we are respectful of clients' time and money. Additionally, you will always work with Jennifer; your projects will not be handed off to a junior staff member.
What is a business lawyer? How can a business lawyer help me?
Your business lawyer is a resource. Among other things, business lawyers help clients structure transactions, negotiate and draft contracts, and employ best practices in day-to day corporate governance and operations, ensuing that their agreements are legally enforceable and that they are not subjecting themselves to unnecessary risk or liability.
Business lawyers explain terms and conditions of agreements, close deals, help clients think through problems and situations strategically and help clients foresee risk on the horizon. Business lawyers may also prepare blog posts and other helpful content, providing the public with free relevant information.
Unlike a litigation attorney who typically becomes involved in a case after the problem has developed, a business lawyer is often engaged proactively, to help guide a business in avoiding problems to begin with, and ensuring that small problems do not become large problems.
What types of clients does the Firm work with?
The Firm works with small and mid-sized businesses, portfolio companies, large publicly traded corporations, investors, lenders, insurers, family offices, entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, individuals, law firms and corporate legal departments.
Jennifer has years of experience representing, at different times, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, lessors and lessees; developers, entrepreneurs, innovators, start-ups, investors, family businesses, family offices, private equity, portfolio companies and large publicly traded corporations. She works with clients in various industries, such as transportation, eCommerce, medical devices, heavy equipment, infrastructure, maritime, banking, real estate, professional services and more.
These diverse experiences provide unique and invaluable insights into the priorities, strengths and limitations that exist on the different sides of any particular transaction, which is a significant benefit to our clients by giving them the advantage of "knowing thy enemy".
What is the Firm's Fractional General Counsel Service?
The Firm's Fractional General Counsel program is like having your own in-house General Counsel, but without the full-time cost. Our Fractional GC service is ideal for companies or individuals who have the desire or need for on-going legal representation or an attorney-on-call, but want to avoid the cost of maintaining an in-house legal department. Each arrangement is unique to the needs of the particular client. Typically, the program is structured on a monthly subscription basis, for an agreed-upon scope of work. The program can be extremely beneficial to clients, in that a long-term relationship is established and cultivated before the client's critical need for legal representation has arisen. Fees and scope are reviewed and adjusted as needed on a regular basis.
As your attorney, our job is to know the law, ensure that you understand it, close your deals under optimal terms, mitigate your risk, and help you brainstorm and foresee issues before they occur, so that you can focus on what's truly important to you . . . growing your business!