What to expect before you hire a lawyer

Call 604-681-1611 or email info@gleelaw.com. Give us your full name, the names of every other party, the area of law and any urgent date. We will conduct an initial conflict check and confirm the consultation fee. The firm becomes your lawyer only after it agrees to act, the retainer agreement is signed and any required retainer is paid.

Lawyers must check whether duties to a current or former client prevent them from acting. Please provide full legal names before giving confidential details. A conflict does not mean anyone has done something wrong; it may simply mean professional rules prevent the firm from accepting the matter.

Usually not when spouses have different interests. One spouse may retain the firm. The other should obtain independent legal advice. We must assess the facts and professional rules before accepting any joint or limited role.

Yes. We normally charge for an initial consultation. The office will confirm the current fee and payment method before booking. During the meeting, you can explain the problem, ask questions and discuss options, risk and likely next steps.

Not before we identify the parties, complete the necessary conflict check and understand enough of the facts. A short call may miss a court order, deadline or document that changes the answer. Staff can explain appointments and intake, but only a lawyer can give legal advice.

No. Administrative staff can book meetings, receive documents, explain payment and relay messages. They cannot advise you about rights, evidence, settlement or court strategy.

Bring the most important court papers, agreements, letters, emails, financial records and any existing order. Prepare a one-page timeline and a short list of questions. Do not send hundreds of pages unless the lawyer asks for them.

Sometimes. Ask in advance. The lawyer may need to speak with you privately, and another person’s presence can affect confidentiality or privilege. For important interpretation, a professional interpreter may be safer than a friend or family member.

Yes, when appropriate. Virtual consultations are available for clients outside Burnaby, elsewhere in Canada or overseas. Conflict checks, payment and any required identity verification must be completed first.

A retainer is the agreement under which you hire the firm. It explains the work, fees, billing and client responsibilities. The firm may also require funds to be deposited in trust before work begins. Those funds are applied to accounts under the retainer agreement.

Rates, applicable taxes and disbursements may change. Please contact the office to confirm George Lee’s current hourly rate, applicable taxes and any disbursements before retaining the firm.

For some predictable, uncontested or document-based matters, the firm may offer a flat fee. Contested matters are normally billed by time because the amount of work depends on the other party, evidence, applications and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial.

We can explain the rate and may estimate a defined stage. We usually cannot guarantee the total cost of a contested case. Cost depends on cooperation, disclosure, correspondence, experts, court steps, settlement and trial length. We will discuss ways to focus the work and control cost.

Disbursements are expenses incurred for your file, such as court fees, process servers, searches, couriers, transcripts, experts and translation. They are separate from legal fees.

The office will provide current payment instructions. Because payment fraud exists, verify any new or changed banking or transfer instruction by calling the office at a number you already trust.

No. No lawyer can responsibly guarantee a legal outcome. We can assess strengths and weaknesses, identify missing evidence, explain risk and recommend steps that improve the case.

No. Our policy is to win without fighting when a practical settlement can protect your interests and save cost. We may use negotiation, a four-way meeting, mediation or another process. Court remains available when urgent protection is needed or settlement is not possible.

It depends on the court or tribunal, complexity, disclosure, experts, settlement efforts and available hearing dates. Some urgent applications are heard quickly. A contested BC Supreme Court case can take a year or more and sometimes several years. We will give a case-specific estimate after understanding the required steps.

Lawyers have strong duties of confidentiality, and legal-advice communications may be protected by solicitor-client privilege. Exceptions can apply. Avoid forwarding legal advice or including unnecessary third parties without discussing the effect with your lawyer.

Yes, for short administrative messages such as appointment updates or a note that you sent an email. Use email or the method requested by the office for detailed facts, important instructions, documents and settlement positions. A clear record protects both you and the file.

Yes. George Lee communicates with clients in English and Mandarin, including in writing. He understands Cantonese. James Lee communicates in English and Korean. Court and government documents may require English or a certified translation.

The firm can assess selected border and customs matters, including seizures, review rights and related court options. Deadlines and procedures depend on the document received. Send the notice promptly after the conflict check and consultation are arranged.