JC Law New Client Booklet- Criminal Defense

Welcome to the JC Law Family!

JC Law’s mission is to shape the next generation of legal professionals in order to create a more just and accessible legal system in service to our clients.

Letter From James E. Crawford Jr., Esq. To Our Valued Client, My name is Jim Crawford, and I’m the CEO and Founding Partner of JC Law. I wanted to take a moment to welcome you to our firm and say that it’s a pleasure to have you as the newest member of the JC Law family!

I know that at this moment you’re probably concerned or confused about your legal matter, but that’s why we’re here. While it’s not always easy, it’s our duty and promise to guide you across this legal battleground. Sometimes the legal process may take time to work itself out, but JC Law will be there for you every step of the way!

As you’re reading this, our team is already hard at work on your case, and in turn I ask that you please take some time to review the rest of this New Client Handbook. It contains all the information you’ll need to navigate your time with us. Please review it carefully, for it may come in handy later in your legal journey.

Above all else, what’s most important to me is that you, the client, feel comfortable and confident in our firm.

After receiving this handbook, you’ll soon be assigned your own personal attorney (if you haven’t already) who will spearhead the work on your case in conjunction with their team. Each team consists of a supervising attorney who oversees a mix of associates, legal assistants, clerks, and billing specialists. While not every case may call for the client to be in contact with the entire team, each member will always be available for support and assistance as needed.

It’s our belief that this team structure allows for our clients to enjoy the ample resources of a large firm with the intimate attorney/client relationship you’d find at a smaller practice.

Letter From James E. Crawford Jr., Esq. Once contacted by your assigned attorney, please make sure that they discuss and establish the following procedures with you: 1. A road map of how your case will proceed and important aspects of our general litigation strategy.

2. Our billing specialists are equal parts experienced and compassionate, and they’re a vital asset for our clients when navigating the monetary aspects of affording representation. Do not hesitate to contact them if you have a question, and their phone extensions are provided later in this handbook. Re: Billing Disputes- I’ve been around long enough to know that, occasionally, billing disputes may occur. Whether it’s a simple question, or something more in-depth, please follow our billing dispute procedures found in this handbook to get that taken care of.

3. An understanding of how often you and your attorney will communicate. I can’t emphasize this point enough. Good communication can solve a lot of problems when dealing with a legal matter. Your lawyer will establish expectations and practical realities regarding contact with them. Some of our attorneys will have you reach out to their support staff first, while others will be available via a direct line of communication. Regardless, the proper procedure for communication will be clearly laid out for you upon initial contact with your assigned attorney.

4. Make sure you have a clear understanding of how you will receive all your documents via your client portal. Discuss this with your attorney or their support staff.

When I started practicing law over 30 years ago, I considered it an absolute privilege to help people in their time of need. Decades later, I still believe that with all my heart.

I require every lawyer at this firm to buy into one basic belief: WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU IN YOUR TIME OF NEED My pledge is as simple as that. We will do everything in our power to represent you ethically, forcefully, and properly. If you ever need to discuss any issue with me directly, my door is always open, and I will listen to your concerns. Once again, I thank you so much for trusting JC Law in your time of need, and it’s our privilege to serve as your legal ally.

Sincerely,

Mr. James E. Crawford Jr. Esq.

Introduction to JC Law’s Billing Practices Dear Client, On behalf of our entire firm, our Finance Department would like to personally extend our sincere welcome to JC Law! For decades, we’ve been helping people through complicated situations such as yours, and our entire team will work diligently to ensure you obtain the best representation available. We’ll treat your case with care and compassion, and do everything in our power to resolve any financial or billing issues that may arise in a timely and efficient manner.

In the leadup to your retaining our firm, you no doubt received a great deal of information from multiple members of JC Law at a time that was likely stressful and hectic. As such, we’d like to take this opportunity to go over some of the basics of our billing procedure.

What to Expect Next

Within 24 hours, at most, you will receive an email from your assigned attorney or their legal assistant, introducing your legal team, providing their contact information, and advising of any additional information they will need to get started on your case.

You will also receive a formal retainer agreement – to be signed -- that specifies the details of our representation as well as our fee structure.

Finally, you’ll receive a “road map” from your attorney that outlines our specific plan of attack for your case.

Payments and Billing In addition to your legal team, you’ll also be assigned an Account Manager from our department who will handle all aspects of payment and billing, acting as a liaison between you and your legal team for anything finance related. They will communicate with you regarding your case on a regular basis as needed, and work with your attorney to provide you with an ongoing financial forecast (our department’s version of the above-mentioned “case road map”) for your matter.

Introduction to JC Law’s Billing Practices While your Account Manager cannot discuss the legal aspects of your case, they’re certainly a resource to aid with any logistical issues and “lend an ear” to you when needed. Compassion is a hallmark of our team, and it’s something we extend to every one of our clients.

For FLAT FEE Cases Many of our criminal defense cases and some domestic cases are retained under a “flat fee,” meaning that the amount quoted to you during your initial consultation is all that you will be required to pay for your case.

Please note that if you retained our firm via deposit for a flat fee case as part of a payment plan, you will be required to pay the remainder of your fee in full 30 days prior to your court date. If you’ve already paid the entire fee for your case upon retaining, then you should have received a receipt. If you have not received a receipt, please contact our finance department for assistance.

For Cases Billed at an HOURLY RATE You should have already received an email inviting you to sign into our client portal. You can use the portal to view your invoices, check the balance of your retainer account, and make payments when necessary. It is there for your convenience to use 24/7.

Many of our domestic cases (i.e., family law and civil) and some criminal defense matters are billed at an hourly rate. This means that you will be billed for the time your legal team spends working on your matter in 1/10th of an hour increments.

Billable activities include, but are not limited to, communication with you (the client) or related parties via phone, email, or in-person/video meeting, file review, strategizing, drafting/filing of legal documents, travel to and from court, etc. Each time entry submitted by a member of your legal team will include a description of the activity and its purpose.

Introduction to JC Law’s Billing Practices The hourly rates for our attorneys and legal staff are as follows: Attorneys: $285.00/hr. – $375.00/hr.

Legal Assistants: $150.00/hr.

Law Clerks: $185.00/hr. – $225.00/hr.

Invoices are prepared and emailed to you each Monday for billable time from the previous week. The initial retainer you paid has been placed in an escrow account on your behalf and will be drawn upon each time your case is billed. Any expenses such as filing fees will be paid for from these funds as well. It is your responsibility to review your invoices in a timely manner and contact our department or your attorney with any questions you may have. Your invoices will be emailed to you as well as available in the client portal.

Upon retaining, you should have received an email inviting you to sign in to our client portal mentioned above. You can use the portal to view your invoices, check the balance of your escrow account, and make payments as necessary. It is there for your convenience and be accessed 24/7.

If you have any questions about the procedures listed above, do not hesitate to contact our staff at any point during your representation. We know that this may be a difficult, challenging time, but we’re here to here to serve as a resource and assist in any way we can over the duration of your legal journey.

Respectfully, The JC Law Finance Department (443) 709-9999 ext. 4000

Letter From Mark Sobel, Esq. Dear Client, My name is Mark Sobel, and I currently serve as Vice President of the Criminal Department here at JC Law. On behalf of my team, I'd like to thank you for trusting us to represent you in your criminal defense matter, and we want you to know that we understand and empathize with you as you embark on this journey through the criminal justice system. While this process can often prove daunting and frightening, rest assured that my team and I will guide you through each step of the way and will vigorously fight to protect your rights and freedom. At JC Law, you're getting more than just an experienced attorney to represent you in court or throughout an investigation. You're getting a legal ally; one that will work with you and do whatever we can to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome in your case.

I'm proud to say that our firm was built on criminal defense litigation. As such, our department has assembled a top-notch team of battle-tested attorneys and knowledgeable paralegals, and you should expect continuous communication and updates from our team as your case progresses through the court system. While we always prefer the personal touch of face-to-face meetings with our clients in the office, we're also available via video, phone, text, or email. When it comes to your day in court, we'll dedicate the resources ahead of time to ensure that you're thoroughly prepared for anything that may happen in the courtroom, and fiercely represent you in front of the judge or jury.

Once again, I would like to thank you for trusting my team in your time of need. It's truly an honor and privilege to represent you in your case, and we at JC Law look forward to serving as your legal ally.

Mr. Mark Sobel, Esq. Vice President of the Criminal Department mark@jamescrawfordlaw.com (443) 709-9999 ext. 2002

More About Mark Sobel: Mark began his legal career at a small litigation firm that practiced in and around New York City.

After several years of navigating busy New York courthouses, Mark and his family relocated to Baltimore, where he soon began his work at JC Law. Starting out as an associate attorney on our criminal defense team, Mark worked his way up to his current role as JC Law’s Vice President of the Criminal Department through years of diligent representation and fierce defense of his clients.

Mark has spent nearly every day of the past decade in the courtroom, representing his clients at their greatest time of need. He enjoys a stellar reputation with the prosecutors and judges in virtually every courthouse in Maryland, both at the state and federal levels.

Mark’s particular niche is in trying felony sex offenses and other serious matters in the Maryland Circuit Court system, compassionately and aggressively guiding his clients through some of the most severe criminal charges.

Whether you’re facing a minor traffic offense in the District Court, or a serious felony offense in the Circuit Court, Mark has the knowledge and grit to vigorously argue your case before a judge or jury and will do whatever he can to secure the best possible outcome for his clients.

Practice Area(s)

Bar Admissions

Criminal Defense

Maryland, 2015 U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 2010 U.S. District Court District of Maryland, 2016

Education Fordham University School of Law, New York, New York- J.D. 2009 Touro College, B.S., 2006

Mark Sobel’s Notable Cases When representing a client who had confessed to 1st degree rape and was facing life in prison, Mark carefully reviewed the body cam video and uncovered that the police had violated the client's 4th Amendment rights. An aggressive pretrial motion to suppress the confession led the State to offer reduced charges resulting in a “time served” disposition.

A client faced decades in prison for an alleged sexual abuse of a minor, which the client vehemently denied. On the 3rd trial, Mark persuaded twelve jurors that the client was not guilty and obtained a full acquittal.

A client was charged with the rape of a young family member. He maintained his innocence, and Mark and his team prepared for a lengthy, intense jury trial. Mark's readiness and extensive pretrial work ultimately persuaded the State's Attorney's Office to offer a STET.

What Clients Say about Mark “I had a wonderful experience working with Mark Sobel on my case. After our initial consult, I was immediately relieved knowing my case would be resolved in my favor. Mark did not disappoint. Thank you law office of James Crawford.”

“Mark Sobel did a great job at assisting me with a legal matter. Very professional and went beyond for me!”

“Mr. Sobel is the best attorney he made me feel less nervous about my issue and handled my case with great professionalism and was very transparent all the way through also being able to get it resolved in a very satisfying way ...thanks again!!!”

Angel Campbell, Esq. Bio Angel Campbell is a senior associate attorney in JC Law’s Criminal Department, fiercely representing her clients in courtrooms across the state of Maryland since September 2020.

A graduate of the University of Memphis, Angel has proven herself to be a hard-working and persistent attorney with a knack for balancing a strong courtroom demeanor with a genuine care for each of her clients.

While Angel spent over three years practicing at JC Law, her experience as a litigator and work within the judicial system expands beyond the confines of Maryland, as she began her legal career in Tennessee. While in her home state, she served as a judicial law clerk for one of the three Senior Judges in the Tennessee Supreme Court in addition to working for a Circuit Court judge and as a staff attorney for the state of Tennessee.

Over the course of her time at JC Law, Angel has quickly amassed the necessary exposure and experience in the courtroom to take on any type of case that may come across her desk and is a fixture of our vaunted Criminal Department, fighting diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for every of her clients

Practice Area(s) Criminal Defense

Education University of Memphis School of Law, Memphis, Tennessee- J.D. University of Costa Rica, Spanish Composition University of Memphis -B.A.

Bar Admissions Maryland Tennessee

Professional Associations Maryland State Bar Association American Bar Association Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc

Jennifer Kafes, Esq. Bio After 21+ years of practicing law in the state of Maryland, Jennifer Kafes, Esq. joined the JC Law team in 2022 as an associate attorney in our Criminal Department. She’s tried countless cases in various court systems, whether as an assistant state's attorney for Baltimore City and Harford County, or as a litigator in private practice. Jennifer's combined experience as both prosecutor and defense attorney enables her to lend a unique perspective to every case and attain the best level of representation for each of our clients.

Jennifer graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in English in 1995 and the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2001. After graduation, she clerked for the Honorable Stephen M. Waldron on the Circuit Court of Harford County.

Jennifer is barred both federally and in the state of Maryland. She has one daughter and two adorable grandchildren.

Practice Area(s) Criminal Defense

Education University of Baltimore School of Law, Baltimore, Maryland J.D. – 2001 Law Journal: Journal of Environmental Law, Manuscripts Editor University of Maryland College Park, College Park, Maryland-B.A.

Bar Admissions Maryland, 2001 U.S. District Court District of Maryland, 2002

Professional Associations Member of the Attorney Grievance Commission Peer Review Committee 2008 to Present

The JC Law Client Experience The Perfect Client Lifecycle The keystone of JC Law’s practice is the “Perfect Client Lifecycle,” a procedural and philosophical system by which our attorneys, support staff, and admin staff interact with and guide our clients over the course of their relationship with our firm. Created by our Founder James E. Crawford, Jr., the PCLC is governed by three pillars: financial management, client communication, and practice process.

Each of of these pillars are vital in our mission of creating a more just and accessible legal system in service to our clients. Responsible management of our client’s funds allows for steady progress in their case and avoids placing them in an unnecessarily complicated financial situation. Ample communication leads to a stronger bond between our clients and their legal teams, keeping both sides updated on any developments and ensuring mutual trust in any decisions made. Lastly, proper case management ensures that the right legal decisions are being made at the right times, and that our entire team is prepared for any eventual litigation. When all three of the pillars are working in unison, our clients are appropriately prepared, well-informed, and properly managed to put them in a position to achieve their best possible outcome.

The JC Law Client Experience Team Structure JC Law’s legal departments operate in a designated team-based structure that provides each client with a robust suite of attorneys, legal assistants (LAs), discovery specialists, and law clerks who each play a vital role in representation. This flexible, needs-based approach allows for every client to receive the proper care and attention they deserve, offering the vast legal resources of a large firm with the intimate attorney/client relationship of a smaller practice.

Moot Courtroom At its core, JC Law is built upon a foundation of excellent performance in the courtroom, and being prepared for your day in court is among the most important factors in achieving the best possible outcome in your case. With that in mind, JC Law is proud to stand as one of the few law firms with its’ very own “in house” moot courtroom.

Dedicated to James E. Crawford, Sr., this space is used to prepare attorneys and clients for trial, and you’ll often find it occupied for strategy sessions and mock cross-examinations as our attorneys prepare their clients for their court date. However, the moot courtroom is just as much a training ground as it is a prep space, as seasonal moot court sessions see JC Law attorneys—both young and experienced—face off against each other to test their skills and add to their ample courtroom arsenals.

This excellence in practice and preparation reflects JC Law’s wider commitment to our clients, standing ready for whatever challenges may arise in our fight on their behalf.

Criminal Department Contacts Mark Sobel, Esq.

Vice President of the Criminal Department 443-709-9999 ext. 2002 Mark@jamescrawfordlaw.com

Angel Campbell, Esq. Senior Associate Attorney

443-709-9999 ext. 2006 Angel@jamescrawfordlaw.com

Jennifer L. Kafes, Esq. Associate Attorney

443-709-9999 ext. 2007 Jenniferk@jamescrawfordlaw.com

Aura Gonzalez Legal Assistant

443-709-9999 ext. 2003 Aura.gonzalez@jamescrawfordlaw.com

Stephanie Clark Legal Assistant

443-709-9999 ext. 2004 Stephanie.Clark@jamescrawfordlaw.com