Why do I need an attorney?

Many people try to handle their legal matters personally, supremely confident that they have no need for legal representation...only to find out later that they made the situation more complex and costly.  When you retain a good attorney, you are essentially purchasing peace of mind.  When you retain the Law Offices of Alain V. Bonavida, you are not only purchasing this peace of mind, but the satisfaction that your legal matters are in competent and caring hands.

What does it cost to hire an attorney?

Each legal matter is unique in some respect.  We charge our clients by the hour and take a retainer representing approximately 3 weeks of work.  Hybrid arrangements, such as a combination of costs borne by the client and a contingency fee, may be available and are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Words to the wise:

"The lay litigant enters a temple of mysteries whose ceremonies are dark, complex and unfathomable. Pretrial procedures are the cabalistic rituals of the lawyers and judges who serve as priests and high priests. The layman knows nothing of their tactical significance. He knows only that his case remains in limbo while the priests and high priests chant their lengthy and arcane pretrial rites."  (Daley v. County of Butte, 227 Cal. App. 2d 380, 392 (1964).