Refund Policy

Overview

We understand that legal matters can be stressful, and choosing the right attorney is an important decision. Our refund policy is designed to give you peace of mind when retaining our services. This policy applies to all legal services provided by James R Walsh Lawyer Inc.

Retainer Fees

When you retain our services, you may be asked to pay a retainer fee. This fee is an advance payment for legal services and is held in our client trust account. As work is performed on your matter, funds are transferred from the trust account to our operating account based on our agreed-upon fee arrangement.

Retainer funds that have not been earned (i.e., unused portions) remain your property and are subject to our refund policy.

30-Day Refund Period

Within the first 30 days of signing an engagement letter with our firm, you may request a refund of any unearned fees for any reason. During this period:

• You may terminate representation at any time
• All unearned retainer funds will be returned within 10 business days
• You will only be charged for work actually performed
• A detailed accounting of all charges will be provided

Refunds After 30 Days

After the initial 30-day period, you still have the right to terminate representation at any time. Upon termination, any unearned fees in your trust account will be returned to you, less charges for work performed and costs advanced on your behalf. We will provide a final accounting and return any remaining funds within 30 days of termination.

Non-Refundable Fees

Certain fees are generally non-refundable:

• Flat fees for completed services (e.g., completed document review)
• Court filing fees and other third-party costs already incurred
• Fees for services already rendered and billed
• Costs for expert witnesses or consultants already engaged

Any non-refundable fees will be clearly identified in your engagement letter before you agree to retain our services.

How to Request a Refund

To request a refund or terminate representation, please:

1. Contact our office by phone or email to discuss your concerns
2. Submit a written request for termination and refund
3. Schedule a time to pick up your file (if applicable)

We will acknowledge your request within 2 business days and provide a detailed accounting within 10 business days.

Dispute Resolution

If you have a dispute regarding fees or our refund policy, we encourage you to first discuss the matter directly with us. Many issues can be resolved through open communication. If we cannot resolve the dispute, you may contact the Washington State Bar Association for fee arbitration services.

Your File Upon Termination

When representation terminates, you are entitled to receive your client file. We will provide copies of all documents in your file, or the originals if you prefer. We may retain a copy for our records as required by professional responsibility rules. There is no charge for providing your file upon termination.

Our Commitment

Our goal is to provide excellent legal services and build lasting relationships with our clients. If you are ever dissatisfied with our services, please let us know immediately so we can address your concerns. We value your trust and will do our best to resolve any issues to your satisfaction.

Contact Us

If you have questions about our refund policy or need to request a refund, please contact us: