A consultation is a focused strategy session, not a quick chat. Before we meet, we review what you’ve sent, consider your goals and timing, and identify the main issues we need to cover so your time is well spent.

During the consultation, we’ll ask questions, clarify the facts, and explain what matters legally in your situation. From there, we’ll walk through your options, talk through possible outcomes, and help you identify your best next step based on your risk tolerance, budget, and priorities.

After our meeting, we’ll send a written follow-up summary. That usually includes a recap of the key facts, the options we discussed, and clear, actionable next steps so you have something concrete to refer back to as you move forward.

We’ll also walk you through the different ways we can continue working together.  That might mean immediate next steps you can take now, strategic recommendations you can revisit when the timing is right, or an ongoing support arrangement so you already have us in place as counsel when new legal needs come up.

A consultation is a confidential, privileged, one-time strategy session focused on a specific issue. You’re getting real legal advice from a licensed attorney, but any attorney–client relationship created is limited to that specific consultation and ends when the session is over. It does not make our firm your ongoing or general counsel, and it does not mean we represent you for future questions or new situations, even if they relate to the topic we covered.

We’re not able to answer additional questions by email, text, or DMs outside of an active engagement.  That's not about being unhelpful. It’s about making sure any guidance you receive is accurate, conflict-checked, legally sound, and grounded in the full context of your situation. That standard helps ensure the advice you receive is professional and safe to rely on.

To work together beyond the consultation, we’ll need a separate engagement so everything is clear and aligned. If you want us to draft documents, negotiate with another party, file something, or continue advising you on an issue, that requires a new written agreement that clearly outlines the scope, fees, and expectations.

If you’d like support after the consultation, we’d be glad to help. We can recommend the best path forward for your specific needs, whether that looks like another consultation, a flat-fee service, a bundled-hours package, a custom project, or an ongoing fractional general counsel arrangement

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out. That’s our job. A lot of people aren’t sure whether their situation calls for a consultation, a flat-fee service, or something more customized. It’s completely normal not to know where to start.

Start by telling us what’s going on. You can use the Request a Quote or contact form to briefly explain what’s happening, any deadlines, and what you think you might need, even if it feels messy or incomplete. From there, we’ll review what you share and recommend whether a consultation, a flat-fee option, or a custom project is the best next step for your situation.

In some cases, we may schedule a brief discovery call. If it’s still not clear after reviewing your information, we may suggest a short discovery call to talk through scope, timing, and fit. These calls are focused on logistics and expectations and don’t include legal advice, but they help make sure you land in the right place instead of guessing.

Want a little more clarity before you reach out? You can also take our free From Risky to Ready quiz to get a customized Legal Success Guide. It’s a quick way to get oriented, see which areas might need attention, and come into the conversation with a clearer starting point.

Legal services are a real investment, and we know it can feel like a lot compared to DIY templates or free advice you find online. We want you to feel clear about what you’re getting in return, not like you’re writing a mystery check.

A big part of what you’re paying for is experience and professional judgment. Law school and the bar exam are only the beginning. Over more than a decade of practicing law, we’ve seen what actually goes wrong in the real world, how disputes play out, and which strategies hold up when they’re tested. You’re not just paying for time. You’re paying for someone who can spot patterns, anticipate problems, and help you avoid expensive mistakes.

You’re also paying for advice that comes with accountability. As licensed attorneys, we’re bound by strict professional rules, ethics requirements, and oversight from the bar and our insurers. When we give you guidance, we’re putting our name, our license, and our responsibilities on the line. That structure exists to protect you and to make sure the advice you receive is careful, conflict-checked, and safe to rely on.

There’s also a lot happening behind the scenes on every matter. Even “simple” projects involve analysis, strategy, document drafting, conflict checks, appropriate safeguards, and risk management. On top of that, we invest in secure technology, research tools, drafting systems, ongoing education, and insurance so your matter is handled with up-to-date law, strong documents, and secure systems. All of that exists to protect you as our client.

We try to make pricing as clear and predictable as possible. For well-defined projects, we use upfront flat fees with specific deliverables so you know exactly what you’re getting. For open-ended or evolving matters, hourly billing makes more sense because the time involved can’t always be predicted. In some cases, we may also be able to offer payment plans or work with third-party payment partners for certain flat-fee services, depending on the matter.

Our goal is always the same: to give you real value, reduce the chance of bigger, more expensive problems later, and help you make informed legal decisions that protect what you’re building and your peace of mind.

We completely understand why you’d ask. When something feels urgent or confusing, it’s natural to hope there’s a simple answer if someone will just “take a quick look.”

The reality is that “quick” legal advice is rarely good or responsible legal advice. Even short questions usually involve context, fine print, and consequences you might not see yet. To give you guidance you can safely rely on, we have to fully understand the situation, check for ethical conflicts, and make sure our advice actually fits your goals and unique 

Because of that, we don’t give off-the-cuff answers or review documents outside of a defined engagement. Any one-on-one legal guidance, even if it seems simple, happens inside a paid consultation or a clearly scoped flat-fee review. That structure protects you, protects us, and keeps the advice accurate, ethical, and tailored to your situation.

If you’re not sure which route makes the most sense, you can explain what’s going on when you reach out to us. We’ll let you know whether a consultation, a flat-fee service, or a custom quote is the right next step.

We’re based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and we work primarily as a virtual firm. Most consultations and meetings happen by phone or Zoom so we can serve clients across Tennessee (and, where permitted, beyond) without asking you to fight traffic, find parking, or rearrange your whole day for an office visit.

We also have access to a physical office and conference space in the Knoxville area when it’s truly needed. For things like real estate closings, document execution, or matters that require in-person signing or witnessing, we can arrange to meet at our office or another appropriate location.

In-person meetings are available by special request and are always subject to scheduling and the needs of your matter. In some cases, additional fees may apply for travel, office use, or related logistics, and we’ll always talk through that with you in advance so there are no surprises.

For most clients and most projects, a virtual setup ends up being more convenient, efficient, and cost-effective, while still giving you direct access to an attorney who knows your matter and isn’t rushing you out the door.

We’re licensed to practice law in Tennessee. That means we can handle matters that are governed by Tennessee law, including many business, contract, and real estate matters for Tennessee-based clients or Tennessee deals.

For intellectual property-related matters, we can often work with clients across the United States. Things like U.S. trademarks, copyrights, and many brand-protection strategies are governed by federal law, so your physical location matters less than where and how you’re using your brand.

Some situations are a blend of both. For example, IP-focused businesses, creative ventures, collaborations, and other content-driven projects often involve a mix of federal IP law and the law of the state where you or the other party are located. That can show up in contracts, policies, licensing deals, and disputes. In those cases, we’ll look at the specifics and let you know whether we can ethically take the lead, whether we’d need to work with local counsel in your state, or whether it would be better for you to work directly with an attorney licensed there.

Either way, we won’t leave you guessing. When you reach out, we’ll review the basics of your situation and tell you clearly whether we can represent you directly, whether it makes sense for us to collaborate with local counsel, or whether you’d be better served by working with a lawyer or firm in your state. Our priority is making sure you’re working with someone who is both qualified and properly licensed for what you’re dealing with, even if that ultimately isn’t us.