Hiring an Attorney

Hiring an Attorney - What You Need to Know

Below we have prepared answers to commonly asked questions about hiring an attorney.

Do I need an attorney for my licensing matter?

If you have received an Accusation, a license denial letter (or Statement of Issues), if you have just lost your license hearing, or if you have been contacted for official questioning, you should hire an attorney. If you anticipate problems with an existing license or a license application, due to a pending criminal matter or other current problem, a license law attorney can provide valuable guidance. An attorney can be a trusted advisor, act as an intermediary between the you and the government, and defend your interests.

How do I hire an attorney?

We ask that you first call us to discuss your legal problem. Mr. Ray will personally speak with you and will personally handle your matter if retained (we do not delegate your matter to an inexperienced associate attorney.)

We offer a complimentary 30-minute initial consultation to discuss your case. If your matter involves an extended consultation, to review large documents, to have the attorney assist you in completing documents, or for another small service (such as a single letter), you will be billed a flat fee for the consultation, which will be quoted before the extended consultation begins.

At the consultation, whether on the phone or in our offices, we will quote a flat fee for our services. You will know at or before the time you retain us the amount of fees to expect in your case.

What should I look for in an attorney?

We limit our representation to California professional licensing matters and criminal defense. An attorney with expertise in this practice area, such as Mr. Ray, appears regularly at hearing at the Office of Administrative Hearings and has handled a large number of licensing matters. An attorney should be able to demonstrate his or her experience and expertise in the initial consultation. An attorney who is "willing to give it a try" or has had "some license law experience" may do more harm than good.

Can I handle my case on my own?

It is unfortunate that many professional licensees put their livelihoods on the line by showing up at their administrative hearings without an attorney. A license that can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in income can be lost over the failure to pay a small fraction of that amount for the expert assistance of an attorney.

A continuance (postponement) sought at the last minute to get an attorney will usually be denied. Licensees and license applicants who do not act promptly may quickly find themselves in serious legal trouble without the help of a lawyer.

Why should I hire a lawyer?

Most unrepresented individuals go to a hearing having no idea that it is a trial, involving preparation, presentations, objections and legal argument. In many licensing matters, the penalty for poor performance at hearing is loss of a license or denial of a license. The wait to regain a license, or to go through the reapplication process, can be years. An adverse license decision becomes a public record that can hurt the prospects to get any other type of license, or to get an occupational license in another state.

How do I contact Fredrick M. Ray?

Call Fredrick M. Ray for an appointment at 714-748-8488 or toll free 800-474-6911. Our initial 30 minute consultation is always free. Evening and Saturday appointments are available. If you wish to retain our services, we accept major credit cards and payment plans may be available.