FAQs About Sandollar PLLC
Questions
- Do you typically work with certain business size or industry?
- Do you have any particular focus in your legal practice?
- Do you have trial, mediation, or arbitration experience?
- How long have you practiced law?
- What is your fee structure and standard billing arrangement?
- What percentage of your practice is trademark law?
- What are some examples of trademarks you have registered?
- How much of your practice is patent work?
Do you typically work with certain business size or industry?
My practice is focused on helping small to medium businesses: 50 or fewer employees, under $10M ARR. I work with restauranteurs, manufacturers, collectibles merchants, accountants, doctors, bakers, professional athletes, and other business owners or independent professionals.
Do you have any particular focus in your legal practice?
About 60-70% of my practice is dispute resolution. About 60% of that is small business law: partnership disputes, bad contracts. The rest is trademark or copyright disputes.
By the time people engage an attorney they often are at an impasse in trying to resolve things informally. Usually when I come in the dispute starts getting resolved through a formal process like litigation or arbitration. Frequently on the way to trial or hearing, the parties reconsider their hard lines and are able to come to a negotiated settlement. Generally, my clients get what they need from such negotiations.
Aside from disputes, I focus on small business transactions (purchase, sale, formation, and contracting) and trademark registrations.
Do you have trial, mediation, or arbitration experience?
I have represented clients in court, before arbitral tribunals, and in settlement conferences with mediating neutrals such as judges.
How long have you practiced law?
In 2006 I became a registered patent agent and started drafting and prosecuting patent applications. I began legal practice as an attorney in 2010.
What is your fee structure and standard billing arrangement?
I bill on an hourly basis for most matters, at $330 per hour. I sometimes will offer a fixed fee and I always offer good faith estimates before starting work. Initial consultations cost the client $300, although the amount of time I put in preparing for these would cost more at my hourly rate. For matters that are certain to be expensive, I take an upfront retainer on about 10% of the expected cost. The retainer is like a security deposit for invoices. It will be refunded if all invoices are paid. Or invoices can be paid from retainer, and it can be replenished as we go.
What percentage of your practice is trademark law?
Between Federal litigation and trademark office proceedings, about one third of my practice (30-35%) involves trademarks.
What are some examples of trademarks you have registered?
My clients' registrations and applications include trademarks for ophthalmic (eyeglass) lenses, industrial machinery, clothing, baked goods, body waxing, and a pen name. I have successfully defended multiple trademarks.
How much of your practice is patent work?
If you review the Patents for Small Business page, you may get an impression that I do not think patents are worthwhile for most of my clients. For that reason, I strictly limit my patent practice to clients who I think may benefit from having one or more issued patents.