Wayne Cohen - Lawyer | Attorney: What Is A "Retainer Agreement"?

What Is A Retainer Agreement?  By: Wayne Cohen, Lawyer & Attorney

When a client hires a lawyer, the relationship is typically memorialized in a document which is known as a "retainer agreement."  In a nutshell, these documents spell out the rights and responsibilities of each party -- meaning the lawyer, and the client.  Here are some things you should look for in a retainer agreement.

1.  Scope of Services

At our office, Cohen & Cohen, P.C., the retainer agreement sets forth what services the law firm will be handling for the client.  This will include, for example, the type of case and what work is being done.

2.  Fees

Fees must be identified in the retainer agreement also.  Are the fees on an hourly basis?  Are the fees on a contingency basis?  These types of things must be clearly articulated.

3.  Each State Is Different

The ethical rules surrounding a retainer agreement may be different in each state.  A prospective client can typically check his/her state's ethics rules, and these most often can found online.

Wayne Cohen is a trial lawyer.  He also currently serves as an adjunct law professor at the George Washington University School of Law.

Cohen & Cohen, P.C.
1220 19th Street, NW
Washington DC 20036
202-955-4529

Wayne Cohen , Attorney | Lawyer: 3 Things To Do In The First 30 Minutes After A Car Accident

Wayne Cohen, lawyer and attorney with his main office in Washington, D.C. Wayne Cohen has appeared on multiple television news shows, and in numerous newspapers and magazines.  For a full background, please go to www.cohenandcohen.net  Cohen & Cohen, P.C. / Washington DC

The first 30 minutes after a car accident can be very important.  Assuming you do not need immediate medical attention, here are 3 things which Attorney Wayne Cohen suggests you should consider doing.

1.  Get Information

You've got to get key information after a car accident.  This means that you obtain the name, address, phone number, email, and other critical information from the adverse driver.  You should also take down tag information, as well as any witness information.

2.  Call the Police

If you are not at fault in the accident, make sure to call the police.  You want to have the accident documented, and the police can help you do this.  This is true whether or not the car accident occurs in Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia.  

3.  Take Pictures

Taking pictures is very important after an accident.  You should photograph the cars, the location, the tag number of the vehicles, and anything else that you believe may become an issue in the case.  Additionally, if you have any visible injuries, make sure to take pictures of those also.  If you were to retain a personal injury lawyer then this may help you with the case. 

Remember, these 3 things should be done, but only if you do not need immediate medical attention.

By:  Wayne Cohen, Attorney / Lawyer,  Washington, D.C.

 Cohen & Cohen, P.C.
1220 19th Street, NW
Washington DC 20036
202-955-4529

Wayne Cohen, Attorney | Lawyer: What To Do When Driving Over A Bridge by

By Attorney Wayne Cohen of Cohen & Cohen, P.C.

As the summer of 2013 windows down, we'd like to share a few safety tips about you regarding driving over a bridge.  In July, Cohen & Cohen law firm client, Morgan Lake, was driving over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge when her car was struck by a tractor trailer.  The air bags deployed and she was catapulted over the bridge.  Thankfully, she was able to swim to safety.

Ms. Lake's case helps us look at a critical issue when driving over a bridge:  should the driver have her window down? There is quite a bit of banter on the Internet about this point, and there are some opposing views.  But here's where we come out, and why.

It is our conclusion that putting your windows down while driving over a bridge is a very prudent idea. If your vehicle falls into water, and the windows are up, you must either be able to roll the windows down, or break them.  Both of these take precious time, and can be very difficult to accomplish during a stressful situation.  On the other hand, if you car windows are down and your car becomes submerged, you can simply focus on extricating yourself from the vehicle. The only downside to this approach is that your car will be more buoyant with the windows up than with them down.

Wayne Cohen, Lawyer / Attorney, Contact Information

Cohen & Cohen, P.C.
1220 19th Street, NW
Washington DC 20036
202-955-4529