General FAQs
These are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from potential clients.
- How do I pay for my legal fees?
- How do I pay for the expenses of the case?
- How do you decide whether you will take my case?
- How much is my case worth?
- I don't live in California. How can you take my case in my State?
- Who from your law firm will work on my case?
- have received a call from your legal assistants. When will a lawyer speak to me?
- How long will it take before we go to trial?
- If there is a trial will I need to be there?
- What is a deposition?
- If my case settles, how long will it take before I receive money?
- Will you speak with me before settling my case?
- What if I don't want to go to settle and want my day in court, a trial?
- Will my case require expert testimony?
- Are witnesses besides experts needed in my case?
- Can friends or relatives attend my trial?
- What is the statute of limitations for my case/How long do I have to file my case?
- How can I get information about the merits of my claim?
1. How do I pay for my legal fees? 
We take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if there is no monetary recovery, you owe us nothing for our services.
2. How do I pay for the expenses of the case?
In many cases, Nicholas C. Rowley will advance the expenses of the case and we will be paid back by you when there is a recovery.
3. How do you decide whether you will take my case?
We look at many cases, and we are not a large law firm. Unfortunately, we are not able to help all of the people who ask for and need our help. We look at each case individually as it comes in, as a partnership. That is, the eight partners in the law firm all give consideration to the cases. If we believe that we can be of service to you, we will take the case. Sometimes, if we are unable to help you, we know of other lawyers who can help, and we will refer you to them.
4. How much is my case worth?
The value of each case is different and must be evaluated separately. We take a great deal of time to come to a proper evaluation of your case. Nicholas C. Rowley have evaluated thousands of cases and have represented over a thousand people. However, you must know that there is never a guarantee of any recovery.
5. I don't live in California. How can you take my case in my State?
We associate with competent local counsel in many different states and get admitted in that State on a case by case basis (the legal phrase for temporary admission on a case by case basis is "pro hac vice"). In other words, since we associate with local counsel we are able to appear and practice in states where we are not licensed.
6. Who from your law firm will work on my case?
We have many people at any given time who are assigned to work on your case. There are lawyers and legal assistants with whom you will work directly. There are also investigators, law clerks and word processors all working on your case. Some of these people you will never see or have contact with. But feel confident that the firm is always working to bring your case to a successful conclusion.
7. I have received a call from your legal assistants. When will a lawyer speak to me?
We have legal assistants to assist the lawyers in working on your case. Being that we are "trial lawyers" we are often in court and not in the office. Therefore, we rely on our legal assistants who are an integral part of our team to relay information from us to you and the reverse. With that said, you should know that any time you want to speak with either Mr. Rowley or Mr. Wolf that every attempt will be made to have them call you directly at his/her earliest convenience.
8. How long will it take before we go to trial?
We work in states all over theUnited States. Each court in theUnited Statesdiffers in the amount of time it takes to bring a case to trial. Once we know what court we are in we are in a much better position to estimate the time to trial.
9. If there is a trial will I need to be there?
Yes, if there is a trial, you must be present.
10. What is a deposition?
During the course of your case you will most likely have to give a deposition. A deposition is a question and answer session about your case that is given under oath before a certified court reporter. You will be represented at your deposition by an attorney.
11. If my case settles, how long will it take before I receive money?
Typically, once a case is settled, documents must be exchanged between both parties of the lawsuit. This process usually takes 30 - 60 days, but can take longer if your case involves special circumstances.
12. Will you speak with me before settling my case?
Absolutely, no case is ever settled without your expressed consent. Whenever settlement negotiations are initiated by either party you will be informed, and it is only with your full participation, advice, and consent that your case will be settled.
13. What if I don't want to go to settle and want my day in court, a trial?
Well, that is our specialty. The courtroom is where we prefer to be. If your case is one that is trial worthy (where we believe there is a good probability of prevailing in court) then we will handle your case with that mind set, if you want to settle that is up to you, unless you tell us otherwise we will be pressing forward with the expectation of a trial.
14. Will my case require expert testimony?
In today's system, testimony of an expert is often required to prove a case. In some cases such as professional malpractice expert testimony is mandatory and often a pre requisite to a claim being filed.
15. Are witnesses besides experts needed in my case?
Yes. The testimony of lay witnesses, family members, neighbors, friends is often just as important as expert testimony. You should create a list of the name, address, phone number of every person who you believe can help a judge or jury understand your case, liability, causation, and damages witnesses. The simple testimony of a neighbor to the effect that "________ used to always be outside working in his yard, tending to his garden, barbequing, but now the only time I see him is when he walks to and from his car with his cane" can be very powerful in the courtroom.
16. Can friends or relatives attend my trial?
It depends on whether they are witnesses and whether they are done testifying.
17. What is the statute of limitations for my case/How long do I have to file my case?
It depends on a number of factors, including whether your case is a federal case, a case against a public entity (which could make the limitations period six months), what State the cause of action arose in, the type of case, and what age you were. There are many factors that go into determining what the limitations period is. For example, inCaliforniathe statute of limitations for a medical malpractice case is contained in California Code of Civil Procedure §340.5. In relevant part, that statute requires that an injured person take action within one year of discovering a medically-caused injury and to demand arbitration, or extend the statute of limitations by sending a notice of intent to sue (sometimes referred to as "90 day letters") under California Code of Civil Procedure §364. But, if the malpractice case is against a public entity medical provider the time period is shortened six months.
The golden rule of statute of limitations is to act quickly, if you believe that you are a victim and have a valid case then call an attorney right away to find out how long you have to file.
18. How can I get information about the merits of my claim?
If you have questions about the existence of a claim, the potential for success, the ease or difficulty of resolution, the cost of litigating, or any other matter, you should contact us. If you have questions that have not been answered, you should
Call (310) 651-1712