Scott Bagnall is the principal of the firm. He is a Chicago area attorney with education, training and experience in the matters listed on this website. Scott graduated from DePaul University and Loyola School of Law.
The areas of practice can involve personal consultation, site visits, court appearances, or closings. The practice also involves document review, negotiation and/or drafting of contracts and agreements. One driving philosophy here is to combine technology and email to best serve the client and keep costs as low as possible.
This does not mean unassisted computer automated document review or assembly as is advertised elsewhere on the internet. You will always deal with an attorney. Everything that comes to the office is handled by a real, Illinois licensed, attorney. No R2D2. No non attorneys kind of concealing the fact that they are not qualified to give legal advice. The firm is not a document template supplier. Understandably, we do not scratch draft every single word of every single document. But any document delivered for a client will be designed for the specific situation of that client. Clauses having legal relevance to the specific client, modified as required to obtain a proper fit, are built into a finished document.
Also, we cannot limit viewing of this website to clients who have an Illinois issue, but because of licensing jurisdiction we must limit the practice to Illinois matters. If unsure whether you have an Illinois issue feel free to send an email with some basic facts and we’ll let you know.
Let’s deal with the question of fees at the outset.
Most people want to know what it will cost before getting started on a project. Some people are lured to legal document websites by promises that they can do it themselves and save attorney fees. These deals seem to work great – until someone, you, your partners, your family, needs to rely on the legal protections supposedly furnished by the homemade document. And boom. The document, having been sold by someone who did not know, or care about, the difference between what they sell and what the client needed is worse than worthless. It is worthless if the client never needs it but it is worse than worthless if the client has depended on the document. I do not say these things in an effort to promote lawyers. I say these things to warn clients that sometimes it just ain’t that easy.
With that in mind, attorneys cannot compete with prices listed by online document mill websites. On the other hand, online document mill websites can not compete with the attorneys’ education, training and experience.
Depending on the matter fees can be contingent, or hourly, or flat rate, or some combination of these. Many clients prefer a flat fee, which is OK. But, attorneys cannot fairly quote a flat fee of the unknown. Neither client nor attorney should operate in the dark. The client would like to know the fees, and the attorney would like to know the scope of work. So – in order to give a fee quote, whether contingent, hourly, flat fee, or hybrid, the attorney does need to have the basics.
Please feel free to send an email describing the matter, or, attach a document, and a fee quote will be sent to you. General description is OK. No need for details at this point. We will let you know if clarification or additional information is needed. The client’s documents are treated as strictly confidential. No non attorney is involved in document review. Attorney fees do not kick in unless and until a fee agreement has been reached. Send your email request to FeeQuote@scottbagnall.com.
Sometimes a client wishes to have a consultation before choosing a course of action. Send an email to FeeQuote@scottbagnall.com describing in general terms the subject matter that you wish to discuss. We will quote a 30 minute rate and suggest dates and times for a personal or telephone consultation.
Law Office of Scott Bagnall
5 Revere Drive
Suite 200
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
312/580-3800
sb@scottbagnall.com