Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I hire or retain Mercer Law, P.A. to represent me or my company?

A: At the conclusion of or following your initial consultation, you may decide that you would like to engage Mercer Law, P.A. to represent you.  Engagement or retention of Mercer Law, P.A. involves three simple steps:  First, at your request, we will conduct a conflicts check to ensure that we do not have a conflict that would prevent us from representing you.  Second, we will provide you with an engagement letter setting forth the terms by which Mercer Law, P.A. would be willing to represent you.  Third, after receiving and reading the engagement letter, should you choose to engage Mercer Law, P.A., you need only deliver one signed photocopy of the engagement letter and the required refundable retainer deposit (specified in the engagement letter) to Mercer Law, P.A.  The attorney-client relationship is formed only after we receive and accept the signed engagement letter and retainer deposit, and we are under no obligation to advise you of your rights, deadlines applicable to your claims, or the law until then.

     
Q: How much will legal representation cost me? 

A: Most cases are handled by Mercer Law, P.A. by charging an hourly rate for attorney time spent in furtherance of your case.  This hourly rate will usually be quoted during your initial consultation and will always be set forth in any engagement letter.  Certain other costs may be billed such as court filing fees and court reporter fees.  Certain other costs traditionally billed by other firms are not charged by Mercer Law, P.A. or are billed at cost.  For example, there is no charge for long distance telephone calls and no charge for faxes, local or long distance.  These are clearly detailed in the engagement letter.  
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Q: How long will Mercer Law, P.A. represent me?

A: Typically, we represent a client through the conclusion of his or her case.  In some cases, clients keep Mercer Law, P.A. on retainer to handle new questions or disputes as they arrive.  We're confident that you will be satisfied with our representation.  If you are not completely satisfied, then we are not satisfied.  You may terminate Mercer Law, P.A.'s representation of you in writing at any time.  You will only be responsible for fees and costs that have accrued through the date of our receipt of such written notice.  
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Q: What if I'm in a dispute with another party but I'm not sure I want to file a lawsuit?  

A: While we regularly prepare and file lawsuits, many cases can be resolved through aid of an attorney without resorting to filing a lawsuit.  In certain cases, a lawyer's advocacy skills through demand and negotiation with the adverse party or its attorney may be sufficient to resolve a dispute without the need to file suit.  In other cases, it may be advantageous or even necessary to promptly file suit such as where a statute of limitations is running or on a lien claim.  After engagement, your attorney can advise you of your rights and the deadlines in which you must act or file suit in order to preserve your rights.
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Q: I've just been served with a summons and a complaint; what do I do?

A: This means that you have been named as a defendant in a lawsuit and you have a very limited time in which to take action to avoid entry of a judgment against you by the court.  After engagement, your attorney can advise you of: whether the court has jurisdiction over you; your legal and equitable rights and defenses; and the deadlines by which a response to the complaint must be served and filed.  Once engaged, your attorney will take over and prepare all of the necessary pleadings to allow you to timely comply with applicable deadlines and civil procedure rules.
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Q: Do you handle injury cases or cases involving negligence?

A: No.  Mercer Law, P.A. has a practice focused on civil litigation typically involving contractual disputes, construction law and litigation, commercial collections, construction lien foreclosures, mortgage foreclosures, real estate disputes, disputes among businesses, Homeowners' Assoc. disputes, and mortgage foreclosures.  Please refer to our Areas of Practice page on this website for a detailed list and description of our areas of practice. 
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Jacksonville, Florida