Consultation Terms & Conditions

These are the terms and conditions for having a consultation with Amanda Sadlier ("Attorney”). Please read them carefully and clarify any uncertainties. You may seek review by an independent lawyer prior to scheduling. 

By scheduling a consultation and paying the consultation fee, you (“Client”) are agreeing to these terms. 

SCOPE and EXPECTATIONS

Scope of Agreement

      1. This agreement covers the consultation request, intake process, consultation, and any limited follow up deemed necessary by the Attorney. 

      2. This agreement establishes an Attorney-Client relationship and engagement for the initial consultation only. Unless/Until the Attorney and Client agree to further engagement, this initial relationship ends at the conclusion of the consultation meeting or after any follow-up communication is sent by the Attorney, whichever is later. The Client is not obligated to hire the Attorney. The Attorney is not obligated to take the Client’s case. 

      3. Amanda Sadlier holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from Seattle University (USA) and is licensed to practice through the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA). Her advice is limited to US immigration law and specifically excludes New Zealand law and tax advice. She maintains professional indemnity insurance and compliance with the regulations of the WSBA and New Zealand Law Society.

Attorney Responsibilities

      1. The Attorney agrees to review intake paperwork and documents that are submitted in a timely manner and have a video conference for up to 45 minutes. The Attorney may or may not provide limited follow-up as she deems necessary. The meeting may be shorter as she deems necessary. No refund is available in the event of a meeting lasting less than the allotted time.

      2. The information the Client shares in the course of the consultation will remain confidential (secret to the Attorney) even beyond the meeting to the extent permitted by law, and the Attorney will carry out her ethical duties under the law. Payment of the fee by a third party does not break the Attorney’s duty of confidentiality to the Client.

      3. The Attorney cannot and will not assist in making false or misleading statements of fact or law; nor will she assist in illegal or fraudulent behavior. 

      4. The Attorney acknowledges the personal, emotional, and sensitive nature of immigration and will treat the Client and their experience with priority, respect, and dignity. 

Client Responsibilities

      1. The Client understands that a consultation request does not become a confirmed consultation until they provide the information that is requested and pay the non-refundable consultation fee, which will be invoiced.

      2. The Client has a duty of candor and must be completely truthful with the Attorney at all times - in the intake form, documents, and consultation meeting. The Client understands that the Attorney will rely upon their statements and evidence. 

      3. If the Client is untruthful or omits relevant information, they jeopardize the quality of the advice they receive. If the Attorney later represents the Client and information comes to light that the Client did not disclose, it will result in additional fees and/or termination of the Attorney-Client relationship. 

      4. The Client agrees to treat the Attorney and all staff with respect. Any harassment or other harmful behavior will not be tolerated and will be grounds for ending or canceling the consultation without any refund. 

Expectations of Consultation

      1. US immigration law is complex, ever changing, and slowly adjudicated by the US government. The Attorney cannot make promises, predictions, or other guarantees about how the law, processing time, policies, or other decision-making may be applied to your case. The Attorney cannot guarantee a particular outcome.

      2. If the Attorney offers her best advice about current waiting times, these times are subject to change without notice and are not guaranteed. Likewise, if the Attorney discusses government imposed filing fees, these are subject to change without notice.

      3. Each case is unique and subject to individual treatment by both the Attorney and US government. As such, case results, attorney fees, processing times, and more vary by case and circumstance. 

      4. The consultation is a fact-finding meeting. The Attorney will ask questions to gain a full understanding of the Client’s circumstances to be able to give advice about the Client’s legal options and steps to pursue them. The Attorney will rarely be able to resolve a case in a single consultation. She is unable to offer DIY instructions during a consultation.

      5. The Attorney advises against anyone other than the subject of the immigration matter attending the consultation in order to protect confidentiality and related legal protections. If the Client chooses to have another party attend, the Client acknowledges and accepts this risk of having a third party present. This risk includes but is not limited to destroying legal protections under Attorney-Client Privilege as well as the real life impact of having another person learn sensitive information.

      6. If there are two parties involved in the matter (such as spouses or parent/child), the Clients agree to waive any conflicting interests between the two Clients under this agreement.

      7. If the Attorney determines that the Client has a case and is available to take on the case, she may quote legal fees for the work. Legal fees refer to the charge by Optimum Law for the Attorney’s time and expertise and firm resources. Government filing fees are not included in this amount, and there may be additional costs involved (courier, printing, document requests, etc.). Any legal fee quoted at the consultation will be honoured for up to three months following the consultation. Should the Client decide to move forward after this time, the Attorney has the discretion to require a new paid consultation in order to get a full and updated picture of the case.

POLICIES

Cancellations: 

      1. We highly value human courtesy and request that any consultation rescheduling or cancellation be done as soon as possible. We will be as flexible as our workload and schedule allow.

      2. Cancellations made 12 to 48 hours before the appointment will be charged 50% of the consultation fee. Cancellations made in the 12 hours before the consultation will forfeit 100% of the consultation fee.

Payments:

      1. The consultation fee becomes property of Optimum Law when paid in order to hold the requested appointment time. None of the fee will be deposited into a trust or escrow account. Pre-paying legal fees does not impact your right to terminate the agreement. 

      2. Subject to the terms of our cancellation policy, we will make at least one attempt to reschedule the consultation so long as sufficient notice is given. The consultation fee is otherwise non-refundable.

      3. A third party may pay the consultation fee. Payment by a third party does not entitle the third party to any information about the Client, case, or consultation.

      4. The consultation fee will be paid by bank transfer unless other arrangements have been made. When paid by credit card, the paying party is responsible for the transaction fee.

Digital Communication:

  1. Optimum Law conducts business with clients and the US government electronically using technologies including but not limited to email, wifi, video conferencing, cloud-based storage, government portals, and cellular telephone. By scheduling a consultation, you consent to using this technology.

  2. We may ask you for your feedback on a survey or otherwise ask you for a review. Participation is fully optional.

  3. No communications may be recorded without the express consent of all parties.

Retention Policy:

In compliance with WSBA regulations, information and documents obtained as part of the consultation process will be kept in hardcopy or electronic format for seven years.