JC Law New Client Booklet- Family Law

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

Soon 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 on Practice Panther. 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 Abigail Beichler, Esq. Dear Client, My name is Abigail Beichler, and I'm the Vice President of the Domestic Department here at JC Law. On behalf of my team, I'd like to begin by thanking you for trusting us to represent you in your case.

We understand the emotional, financial, and physical hardship that these matters present for many of our clients, and we know how overwhelming this process can be. However, rest assured that my team and I will be there to guide you every step of the way, and will vigorously fight to protect your rights and best interests. At JC Law, you’re not just getting an experienced attorney to represent you in and out of the courtroom; You’re getting a legal ally, one who will work closely alongside you to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

Here at JC Law, we’ve assembled a top-notch team of battle-tested, knowledgeable attorneys and legal assistants. You should expect diligent communication and consistent updates as your case progresses through the court system, including roadmap letters and case plan updates throughout the duration of your matter. While we always prefer the personal touch of face-to-face meetings with our clients in the office, we’re also readily available via video call, phone call, text, or email.

I know that I speak for the entirety of our team when I say that we understand the difficult situation you may be in, and it’s our mission to provide you with the fierce representation that you need with the compassionate care that you deserve.

I’d like to thank you once again for trusting my team to represent you in your time of need. It’s truly an honor and privilege to be your attorney, and we look forward to serving as your legal ally.

Mrs. Abigail Q. Beichler, Esq. Vice President of the Domestic Department abigail@jamescrawfordlaw.com (443) 709-9999 ext. 3007

More About Abigail Beichler: Abigail began her legal career in 2017, serving as a clerk under the Honorable Judge Marcus Z. Shar in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Despite an already packed workload, Abigail found herself wanting to obtain even more legal experience, and began working nights as a law clerk at JC Law in addition to her role under Judge Shar.

After passing the bar in 2019, she began her time as an associate attorney in JC Law’s Domestic Department, where her notable work ethic continued to be a theme as she soon became the youngest attorney in the history of the firm to reach the management level.

Abigail’s steadfast demeanor and genuine love for her clients propelled her even further into her current role as Vice President of the Domestic Department, where she serves as one of JC Law’s chief leaders, both in and out of the courtroom.

Although she and her team primarily focus on domestic and family law litigation, Abigail also possesses a background in criminal defense and experience in business and juvenile law. It’s this wide base of experience that best reflects Abigail’s adaptability and desire to be as well-prepared as possible for whatever factors may arise in her client’s case Abigail attended the University of Richmond and received her B.S. degree in sociology and criminal justice. She obtained her J.D. at the University of Maryland Francis Carey School of Law before serving in the above-mentioned role under Honorable Judge Marcus Z. Shar and her eventual transition into private practice.

Practice Area(s) Domestic & Family Law

Education University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Baltimore, Maryland J.D. University of Richmond-B.S. Major: Sociology and Criminal Justice

Bar Admissions Maryland

Professional Associations Baltimore County Bar Association

Honors

JC Law 2020 Litigator of the Year JC Law 2020 Most Billable Hours Attorney

About Aaron Goodwin: Mr. Aaron Goodwin, Esq. currently serves as the Managing Director of JC Law’s Domestic Department, a position he’s held since September 2023.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he grew up with strong ties to the local community and graduated from Towson University with a B.A. in English before attending the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he received his J.D. in 2019.

While still in law school, Aaron began clerking at JC Law under the tutelage of Mr. Zachery Groves, Esq. Upon becoming barred in Maryland in early 2020, he transitioned into a role as an associate attorney at the firm and was soon promoted to managing attorney thanks to a combination of a stellar work ethic and a keen legal mind. His notable performance continued in this leadership role, leading to his eventually reaching his current position as Managing Director.

Aaron's legal philosophy hinges on approaching each case without preconceived notions and maintaining flexibility in the name of creative problem-solving. He believes that nearly any conflict, no matter how complex, can be resolved if the root of the issue can be identified and confronted. He views every one of his client's cases with an unbiased perspective, aiming to pierce through the overly complicated legal jargon and minor distractions to provide his clients with straightforward, honest advice on the vital factors at hand.

This emphasis on direct, focused representation is one that sets Aaron apart as an attorney and positions him as a leader in and out of the courtroom. After all, his highest priority is the needs of his clients, and diligently serving them as their legal ally here at JC Law.

Practice Area(s) Family Law Civil Litigation Estates & Trusts

Education University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D. -2019 Towson University, B.A. English Literature- 2015

Bar Admissions Maryland

Professional Associations Baltimore County Bar Association

About Matthew Thumser: Mr. Matthew Thumser, Esq. currently serves as supervising attorney in the JC Law Domestic Department.

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Matt found his passion for practicing law in high school after taking a Trial Law course which helped him realize that his calling in life was to advocate for those who needed someone in their corner.

Matt went on to attend Towson University in Maryland, where he majored in criminal Justice and political science. After receiving his B.A., he returned to New York to attend the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. While in law school, he interned at the Nassau County Supreme Court under the Honorable Stephen Bucaria while also clerking at Parola and Gross, LLP., where he was first exposed to (and fell in love with) family law litigation.

Upon graduating from law school, Matt returned to the DMV and began working at JC Law in May 2021 as a clerk. Upon his admission to the Maryland State Bar Association, Matt began his role as an associate attorney in the JC Law domestic department. After displaying a consistently exceptionable work ethic, an aptitude for client relations, and strong interpersonal skills, Matt was promoted to his current role of supervising attorney.

Matt’s main area of practice is family law, and as such he’s represented clients across the State of Maryland in all manner of cases, from divorce and child custody matters to CPS investigations and protective orders. He firmly believes that everyone deserves a strong advocate who will fight for their family’s best interests, and he takes his role as a legal champion extremely seriously as he fights tooth and nail to protect his clients both in and out of the courtroom.

Practice Area(s) Family Law Civil Litigation

Education Hofstra University School of Law, J.D. - 2020 Towson University, B.A. English Literature- 2017

Bar Admissions Maryland New York

Professional Associations Maryland State Bar Association

About Jason Huy Linh Nguyen: Jason currently serves as a supervising attorney in JC Law's Domestic Department after joining the firm in October 2022.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland at College Park, Jason went on to attend the University of Baltimore School of Law, where earned his Juris Doctorate in 2013 and was admitted to the Maryland bar later that year.

Although his current practice with JC Law is focused in family law and civil litigation, Jason possesses an extensive background in Federal administrative and appellate practice, having become Federally barred in the U.S. District of Maryland in 2014.

This diverse legal background gives Jason a unique perspective when approaching his client's cases, and a keen analytical mind and reputation for zealous protection of their best interests has made him an invaluable member of the JC Law team.

Practice Area(s) Family Law Civil Litigation

Education University of Baltimore School of Law, Baltimore, MD, 2013- J.D. University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 2009

Bar Admissions Maryland U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Professional Associations Maryland State Bar Association

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), 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.

Domestic Department Contacts Abigail Beichler, Esq.

Partner & Vice President of the Domestic Department 443-709-9999 ext. 3007 Abigail@jamescrawfordlaw.com

Aaron Goodwin, Esq.

Managing Director of the Domestic Department 443-709-9999 ext. 3008 Aaron@jamescrawfordlaw.com

James Dickerman, Esq.

General Counsel & Managing Director of Risk Management 443-709-9999 ext. 3035 James.dickerman@jamescrawfordlaw.com

Matthew Thumser, Esq. Supervising Attorney

443-709-9999 ext. 3004 Matthewt@jamescrawfordlaw.com

Jason Huy Linh Nguyen, Esq. Supervising Attorney

443-709-9999 ext. 3026 Jasonn@jamescrawfordlaw.com