Q: Does the Law Office of Michelle Ball take contingency
(attorney paid at end) cases or do pro bono work?
A: No, we are compensated for our services by our clients,
usually in advance.
Q:
Is there a minimum initial payment?
A: No. The amount required will depend on the individual
matter and can vary depending upon the time involved.
Q: What types of payment does the Law Office
of Michelle Ball take?
A: Cash, check, credit card (Visa, American Express,
MasterCard), ATM (automated teller machine), or money
order.
Q: What is the attorney’s hourly rate?
A: Please call us at (916) 444-9064 for the current
rate or see the Phone Consultation Form on the Consultation
page. Non-attorney work is usually charged at 50% of
the attorney’s hourly rate.
Q: How quickly can I get in for a consult?
A: We try to get people in as fast as possible, and
as soon as the next day, but it all depends upon the
attorney’s availability.
Q: Do I have to come in to your office for a
consultation or do you offer phone consultations?
A: While we prefer in person consultation if at all
possible, we understand that due to distance or other
issues, a phone consultation is sometimes necessary.
As such, when requested, a phone consultation may be
arranged by completing three forms (click
here to download forms) and thereafter calling
to get on our calendar.
Q: What happens
if I do not make my appointment?
A: If you call and cancel, that is fine, although we
appreciate notice at least 12 hours in advance. If you
cancel two times, you lose your right to a reduced fee
consultation.
If you “no show” for your appointment (you
don’t come in or call), you will lose your reduced
fee consultation. Thereafter, to get back on our calendar
will have to provide a non-refundable payment in advance
to cover a minimum half hour consultation at the attorney’s
hourly rate.
Q: How much is it to consult with the Law Office
of Michelle Ball?
A: For people who are consulting for the first time,
or consulted with us over a year ago, the first half
hour is at a reduced rate, and time after that is at
the attorney’s hourly rate.
For people who have consulted with us within the last
year, the consultation is at the attorney’s hourly
rate.
For members of a referral agency which we accept, the
consultation would be at the rate we have agreed to
with the referral agency. Any person asserting that
they are members of a referral agency would have to
ensure that we were notified in advance of their membership
or the consult would be at the first-time consultation
rate.
Q: With what types of matters does the Law Office
of Michelle Ball assist?
A: We help with almost any administrative matter dealing
with school districts on the side of parents or students,
such as expulsions, suspensions, discipline, special
education, 504 plans, accommodations, transfers, grade
appeals, truancy, sports issues, board appeals, and
many other matters. A review of this website would also
assist in understanding where we can help.
Q: Who is Michelle Ball?
A: Review her Biography, please click
here.
Q: Can you represent students outside the Sacramento
area?
A: Yes. Representation can occur throughout California,
and we have represented people as far away as San Diego,
Fresno, Grass Valley, Monterey, and elsewhere.
Q: What if I have a quick question and do not want to
consult?
A: Michelle Ball is currently a solo practitioner. She
is very busy and her time is valuable. As such, unfortunately,
no resources are available to respond to questions on
educational issues without consultation being scheduled.
If you want answers, a consultation should be scheduled.
You could also submit questions to us for potential
publication in our newsletter. These can be mailed or
emailed. Please note in any correspondence that this
is a question for the newsletter.
Otherwise, we would suggest for general inquiries that
parents and students do their own research or try contacting
the California Department of Education.
If
you have a question you would like added to this page,
please email us at help@edlaw4students.com.
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