Firm Overview
Founded in 1982, Starr Austen & Miller, LLP begins its third decade still firmly committed to the principle inspiring the founding members: Each case is won or lost on its own merits, but hard work and thorough preparation can make all the difference. We represent our clients the way we ourselves would want to be represented - Aggressively, Fairly, Ethically. We are passionately committed to the needs of our clients. We focus on each client's background, needs and goals. We never stray from the idea that your needs set our course.
No lawyer is able to guarantee a result. But, we can guarantee that you will receive our best efforts to meet your needs, and you will be treated honestly. As your attorneys, it is our job to advise you based upon our experience and knowledge of the law. Sometimes you will like what you hear, and sometimes you will not. Either way, it will be the truth.
We do not advertise on television; we are not ambulance chasers; and, we are not a volume firm, accepting anything that walks in the door and devoting little time to our clients and their cases. Should we accept your case, you can be assured of full, vigorous and effective representation.
We represent and advise clients in the areas of:
- Personal injury and wrongful death litigation
- Plaintiff's securities litigation
- Class action litigation
- Commercial and business litigation
- Probate and estate administration
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Insurance defense and coverage matters
- Estate planning
We also participate in appeals in cases handled by other lawyers at the trial court level.
Our size and skill level enable us to maintain a close working relationship with you while providing comprehensive litigation services. Our firm and staff is large and experienced enough to handle a variety of difficult cases ranging from personal injury caused by exposure to toxic chemicals to mass and class actions against national brokerage firms for securities fraud. On the other hand, we are small enough to deliver what often matters most: personal service with a hands on human touch.
While no ethical attorney can predict with certainty what a client's total attorney fees will cost in litigation matters, with our firm, there are some general guidelines which you might find helpful. Most personal injury, wrongful death, insurance and securities fraud cases are handled on a contingency fee basis; a client owes no attorney fees unless we succeed in obtaining a settlement or verdict in our client's favor. In these types of cases, the firm often also advances the expenses of the case which usually include investigation, court costs, depositions (sworn statements of parties and witnesses), expert fees, preparation of exhibits for trial, research, travel and gathering of medical records. In other types of cases, we charge based upon an hourly fee which can range between $150 and $250 for attorney time and $60 to $85 for paralegal time. There are also instances where our fees have been a hybrid of contingency and a reduced hourly rate. You will never incur a charge for non-professional support staff. Whatever the billing method, we strive for fairness and assure you that we will earn our fee.
