LRA FAQs
1. At the beginning of the agreement – after “by and between” – there is a blank line. What should be filled in here?
Depending on the type of case there may be an employer / petitioner and an employee / beneficiary or an individual may be personally responsible for the case. Please carefully read the language immediately after the blank line to see if this is the type of case that requires both parties’ information.
2. How can I pay?
For payment to cover legal fees, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. To make a payment on your account, visit https://www.murthy.com/credit-card-payment/. If you cannot use a credit card, or prefer a different method of payment, please eMail bookkeeper@murthy.com.
3. Checks should be made out to whom?
Checks issued for payment of legal fees should be made payable to “Murthy Law Firm.” Please note that payment by check may delay the processing of your case, and therefore online payments generally are preferred. You will receive separate instructions from your legal team regarding any government filing fees that may be required for your case.
4. Where do I send the LRA?
Please complete, date and sign the LRA and return to LRA@murthy.com. In the alternative you can also fax the signed LRA to: 410.356.5669.
To make the online payment for an eMailed or faxed LRA go to https://www.murthy.com/credit-card-payment/.
If you cannot send a fax and make a credit card payment online, please return the signed LRA with all checks required to open the file to:
Murthy Law Firm
10451 Mill Run Circle, Suite 100
Owings Mills, MD 21117-5594
5. How do I hire you as my attorney?
Please complete, date and sign the LRA and return to LRA@murthy.com. In the alternative you can also fax the signed LRA to: 410.356.5669.
To make the online payment for an eMailed or faxed LRA go to https://www.murthy.com/credit-card-payment/.
If you cannot send a fax and make a credit card payment online, please return the signed LRA with all checks required to open the file to:
Murthy Law Firm
10451 Mill Run Circle, Suite 100
Owings Mills, MD 21117-5594
6. Why does section 2 of the Addendum mention that additional fees may be required? What are these additional fees?
Our fees are based on the amount of time and resources required to prepare, file, and monitor a standard case. In the event that the government issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), or other request for information or clarification on a case, we generally charge an additional legal fee to cover a portion of the additional time and resources that the response requires. Fees vary, depending upon the complexity of the request and the time the government allows to provide the response.
7. When am I informed of any additional charges?
If we find that additional charges are due, we contact the client before invoicing and will be happy to explain and answer any questions that the client has about the fee.
8. Can I terminate the relationship?
While we hope that all of our clients are able to stay with us throughout the process, we know that there are times when, for example, a job, and therefore qualification for a particular employment-based benefit, may end. Clients are permitted to terminate the relationship at any time. The Murthy Law Firm may also terminate the relationship in limited circumstances, such as in the case of a conflict of interest when the two parties no longer agree on how to proceed with a case. In such instances, the Murthy Law Firm will withdraw representation on any pending cases and evaluate the file to determine whether any additional fees are due.
9. When can the attorney unilaterally change the fee under the terms of the LRA?
Given the ever-changing nature of laws and of the immigration process, there are times when an increase in work or the complexity of a case will require a higher fee that could not be known at the time the Legal Representation Agreement (LRA), was signed. As indicated, we always notify the client prior to sending an invoice, should this arise.
10. How can I get a discount?
Our fees have been carefully determined to meet the expenses required to provide our clients with cutting-edge legal strategies and outstanding client service, with a commitment to excellence. Typically, a fee cannot be negotiated.
11. Will the attorney who handled my consultation also handle my case?
The attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm are a team and each handles consultations on a number of issues. In some cases, the attorney with whom you consulted will not be the attorney who reviews or files your case. However, through our excellent case-management system, any attorney can see the notes on the discussion that another attorney has had with a client or prospective client and her or his recommendations for the case. In addition, our attorneys discuss matters that need clarification with each other regularly and have weekly meetings to delve into any special or complex issues.
