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Frequently Asked Questions About Legal
Services
- What is Publishlawyer.com?
- What’s the advantage of being online over traditional
law?
- Are you a real attorney?
- Is Publishlawyer licensed?
- I don't live in Maryland or the District of Columbia. Can
you advise me?
- What are Flat-Fee Services and how much will I save?
- How do you know the laws of every state?
- Can Publishlawyer go to court for me?
- Can Publishlawyer draft a contract for me?
- Can Publishlawyer draft a will for me?
- Why do you do publishing consulting?
1. What is Publishlawyer.com?
Publishlawyer.com is the virtual law office and trade name of the Law Office of Daniel
N. Steven, an attorney licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and numerous
federal courts. Publishlawyer uses the Internet to bring affordable legal services
to writers, editors, publishers, and other publishing professionals.
2. What’s the advantage of being online over traditional
law?
By using the Internet, Publishlawyer can provide prepaid, online legal advice at a
cost reduced from standard law firm rates of $150 an hour for an associate's time and up
to $250 an hour for partner’s time. Publishlawyer is able to provide expert
legal services at these affordable rates because overhead expenses are limited to the
monthly charge for an Internet Service Provider and a Web page. Further, most
document drafting situations do not require face-to face meetings and can be handled via
e-mail, fax, or telephone.
3. Are you a real attorney?
Yes, I am a real attorney located in suburban Washington, D.C. I am
licensed in both Maryland and the District of Columbia and have extensive litigation
experience. I have been an editor, the Publisher of a $21M company, and have written
a reference book and two novels. I do non-law business consulting. I do have
business and personal legal clients in other states. I do not handle criminal cases. For
more information, see my resume.
4. Is Publishlawyer licensed?
Publishlawyer is the Internet domain and trade name for my law practice.
Publishlawyer itself is not a legal entity and may not practice law. Daniel N.
Steven is licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland as well as numerous federal courts.
5. I don’t live in Maryland.
Can you advise me?
In most cases, yes, based on general legal principles. Publishing contracts and
agreements, for example, involve such general principles. If your problem or issue
involves the specific application of your state’s law, I will advise you to consult
an attorney licensed in your state.
6. What are Flat-fee Services and how much will I save?
Flat-fee Services are common legal services that can be
quickly accomplished without meeting the client in person. The fees are generally 15-50%
less than what would be paid in a traditional law practice. Publishlawyer is able to
provide expert legal services at these rates because overhead expenses are limited to the
monthly charge for an Internet Service Provider and a Web page. Further, most
document drafting situations do not require face-to face meetings and can be handled via
e-mail, fax, or telephone Clients generally prefer flat-fees because:
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you know the total cost of a project at the outset;
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you do not bear the cost of the lawyer's inefficiency;
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there are no surprises when your bill arrives; and
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disputes over billing are virtually eliminated.
7. How do you know the laws of every state?
I don’t. Each state is a separate legal system with its own laws and rules.
Therefore, if your matter involves a specific question involving state law (e.g., the
title to real property) I will advise you to retain a local attorney. If your question is
general in nature I can tell you the general legal principles and law that apply.
Publishing contracts and agreements, copyright and trademark, and employment law usually
involve such general principles.
8. Can Publishlawyer go to court for me?
Daniel N. Steven may be retained to make court appearances for you only in the
Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. or in the District of Columbia. Outside these
areas, he will accept legal matters that do not normally require court appearances or
refer you to a local attorney (although I can be admitted to practice on a particular case
in other states, the cost of time and travel usually is not cost effective for
litigation.)
9. Can Publishlawyer draft a contract for me?
Certainly. The vast majority of states have adopted the Uniform Commercial Code, and
general contract law does not differ substantially among the states. Depending on the type
of contract, I may recommend you have it reviewed by your local attorney before you use it
in your business if you are outside Maryland or the District of Columbia.
10. Can Publishlawyer draft a will for me?
Yes, if you are in Maryland or the District of Columbia. If you are in another state I
can advise you on federal estate tax issues and general estate and trusts law.
11. Why do you do publishing consulting?
Because I enjoy the publishing business and finding profitable solutions to a complex
problem involving people, money and have a considerable expertise as the former Publisher
of a $21M publishing business.
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