THE LAW OFFICES OF DAWN CEIZLER

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When hiring a lawyer, there are many issues to consider from basic education and background to experience.  We invite you to browse our page and research these issues.  However, in our opinion, the most important issue to consider when hiring a lawyer is the lawyer's foundational beliefs and the treatment you will receive as a client.  Ms. Ceizler therefore wants you to review her pledge to her clients below, as she believes it will allow you to understand the thought and commitment she puts into the attorney-client relationship once it is established.

Our pledge to our clients.  

We will:

• Realistically evaluate your cases from the start.  

If you want to sue, we will give you an honest assessment of the value of the case. We work with our clients to form our goals early in the case so that every action that is taken is another step toward achieving those goals.  Where a transaction is involved, we determine the key goals early  and focus energy on achieving those goals so as to obtain the best possible outcome without needlessly expending our client's resources.

• Be a zealous advocate

We will fight hard in litigation battles, overturning every stone necessary to ensure the best possible outcome.  Ms. Ceizler has a history of uncovering facts, locating witnesses, and discovering details that most lawyers  overlook.  These details can make a significant difference in the outcome of a case.  

• Provide budgets in appropriate cases.  

We will prepare budgets in a timely manner in a format that is easily understandable.  We will also consider flat fee arrangements in appropriate cases.  We will always discuss the basis for a budget with the client.

• Work efficiently.  

For defense work performed on an hourly basis, some lawyers will charge .5 hours for every letter reviewed or sent or .3 hours for every email drafted.  You will only be charged for the actual amount of time taken to perform the task.  For work done on behalf of plaintiffs, efficiency is equally important, as the more efficiently work is done, the more quickly a case can either be resolved or brought to trial.  

• Provide copies of key pleadings and correspondence.  

In order to keep our clients informed, we will provide copies of all pleadings, filings, discovery, and key correspondence.  

• Regularly communicate with our clients.  

Strategy meetings will be held on a regular basis.  The status of the case will be discussed and the client will have input.  Decisions are made not just by the lawyer, but by the lawyer and the client.

• Return calls and emails quickly.  

Our goal is to return all calls and emails within 24 hours.  

• Deliver updates in a timely manner.   

Because our clients play an active role in the litigation, they fully understand our case management decisions, including any downside risk.  If there is news, good or bad, it will be delivered in a timely manner.  Where a settlement offer has been made, we will pass the offer on to the client as soon as possible and discuss as a team whether to accept the offer.

• Offer practical solutions.  

We will always advocate the best solution for our clients, even if it means we make less money.  We know a satisfied client will return to us with their future work and will refer friends, colleagues, and family members to us when they need a lawyer.  

We will NOT:

• Inappropriately overcharge you.  

We will not false bill for our time. We will not add 10% to vendor bills. We will not charge you for domestic phone calls or faxes.

• Needlessly provoke fights with opposing counsel.

In litigation matters, we maintain professional and courteous relationships with opposing counsel.  Although we may disagree with our opponent's position, it is imperative that we maintain a positive and professional relationship.  In transactional matters, we reinforce the parties' common goals and focus on bridging gaps in a professional manner.

• Talk down to you.   

The work we do is a cooperative effort and our client's input is expected and appreciated.

• Prolong transactional work to make more money.  

• Lie to you, hide the status of a case from you, or ignore you.

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Please note that your review of this website does not guarantee that we will be able to represent you. Visiting this website does not constitute an attorney-client relationship, nor does sending email to us constitute an attorney-client relationship. Any information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, construed as legal advice.