Knowledge, Skill and Experience. This means that you will not have an attorney who is using your matter to learn how to practice law.
Education and Special Training. This means that you will not have a “general practitioner” handling your case. The law is has become very complex, and to keep up with the changes in the law, we take continuing legal education classes which focus on the many aspects of assisted reproduction and estate planning.
Nicole holds a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School, and has obtained advanced training in various aspects of Assisted Reproduction and Estate Planning. In addition, she holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Chemistry with a specialization in Biochemistry from the University of Virginia.
Affordable Flat Fees. All of Nicole’s services are billed on a flat-fee basis so you know your total fee up front and there are never any surprises. You cannot get this with an hourly rate. All flat-rate fees are put in writing.
Virtual Services. Nicole’s offers many of her services virtually (online and by phone) to save her clients time and money and to make obtaining legal help more convenient for her clients.
Client Communication. This means that your calls and emails are returned promptly, and you will receive regular status reports on your matter. In addition, you will not be charged for short phone calls or answering emails.
Secure Client Portal. Using a secure client portal, you will be able to communicate with Nicole securely over the Internet, download or upload documents, and conduct other business that you would normally conduct face-to-face with Nicole. You can use the client portal to:
- Send a secure message to Nicole to discuss your legal needs anytime,
- Receive and complete forms and other documents,
- Securely upload and download documents in your account,
- Easily access and manage files for your case, and
- Manage invoices and make payments.
You can do all of this from the comfort of your home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Guarantee. This means you can be sure that the legal work we perform will be of the highest caliber. If you find anything that does not meet your needs or expectations, bring it to our attention, and we will correct the situation immediately. If we fail to live up to this guarantee, we will return some or all of the fee you paid depending on the circumstances of your case. Many attorneys do not guarantee their services.
Customized Estate Plans for Intended Parents. Nicole drafts customized estate plans tailored to your needs and wishes instead of the fill-in-the-blank documents that produce poor estate plans and cause major problems for your family. Nicole provides all the legal services in her office. She does not depend on junior lawyers or paralegals to do the work you want done by a competent attorney.
Regular Follow-up. Nicole views the signing of your surrogacy and estate planning documents as the beginning of her relationship with you and your family. She regularly follows up with you so any life changing events (e.g., birth of a child) are incorporated into your estate plan so your estate plan will work for you during your lifetime and when it’s needed the most.
Guardianship plans for minors. This means that you will have an attorney who has developed a unique plan to ensure your children are protected if anything happens to you. Most attorneys do not provide this. If you have minor children, ask about Nicole’s Child Protection Plan.
Understanding and Communication. The key to Nicole’s successful career has been the quality of her relationships with clients. Effective communication helps clients understand their problems and the legal solutions Nicole can provide. Nicole’s primary focus is to listen to clients and evaluate their individual needs so she can offer the most effective, efficient solutions for protecting their assets.
Bar Association Memberships. Nicole is a member of the American Bar Association (Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Committee), the Maryland State Bar Association (Section of Estate & Trust Law), and the District of Columbia Bar (Estates, Trusts and Probate Law Section).
Referrals from Professional Colleagues and Clients. Most of Nicole’s new clients come to her by referrals from clients Nicole has served and from professional colleagues, including respected lawyers, accountants, life insurance agents, trust officers and financial advisors.
Seminars and Workshops. Nicole presents educational seminars and workshops for churches, civic and professional groups, and private groups throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area and throughout Maryland.