The Law Office of Mark A. DeRue
Hello and welcome to my website. My name is Mark DeRue and I have been a lawyer for 18+ years. I have designed this website to do one thing: give people information that can lead them on a path to solve their problem. After all, people hire a lawyer to solve their problem.
Much of what I do I call "preventative lawyering". Through proper planning I would much rather have you avoid problems in the first place then to try to rescue you once trouble begins. With the cost of litigation being so high, it is far wiser and cheaper to help someone avoid a lawsuit or other problems.
What to expect:
- A Hands On Approach- Many lawyers like to get the client and then hand them off to their staff. I do not expect my staff to play "mini-lawyer" but handing them a pile of papers and telling them to solve "so and so's" problem. I do not mind doing the dirty work. Making phone calls, drafting documents and letters are part of being a good lawyer. I will stay involved in your case from beginning until end.
- A Lot of Communication- Knowing what is going on with your case is important. Understanding the process of your particular situation is crucial. You will be told what to expect and what time frame to expect things to happen in. You will not have to wait days to get your phone calls returned. I start to feel guilty if I don't call you back within a few hours. My staff is instructed to check voice mail every hour and call people back right away.
- A Budget You Can Live With- The uncertainty of the final cost of hiring a lawyer is a big concern of most people. This may be why people will wait until a problem develops rather than preventing it in the first place. Many of the areas that I practice in will be done on a predetermined "flat fee" basis. After meeting with you to discuss your situation, I will tell you exactly how much my fee will be. You want a lawyer who will deliver "on time, on budget".
What Not to Expect:
- Knowing All Areas of the Law- It is difficult enough to stay current on the areas I do practice in, let alone claim to know all areas of the law. If I do not know the law for your particular problem, I won't take the case. I will gladly try to refer you to someone who can, but I won't take it just because I see dollar signs. Be concerned about lawyers who claim they "concentrate" or "specialize" in 57 areas of the law. It is too hard.
- Telling You What You Want to Hear- I advocate for my clients but I look at the overall picture through the eyes of a realist. I won't tell you something just because that is what you want to hear. If I think you are wrong or being an idiot, I will tell that to you.
- Over Billing- This is a common complaint about lawyers. Many firms will bill you for everything from secretarial services to postage. With me, you will know your budget from day one so you don't have to worry about being charged $150 per hour to photocopy documents!
By now I believe you should know a little bit about me, my philosophies and my approach to providing legal services. I hope you will take time to look at other areas on my website. Thanks for your time.
Best Always,
Mark DeRue