You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
Whether you're facing a legal problem or just unsure of your rights, Brabender Law gives you clear answers—without pressure, confusion, or surprise fees.
We Get It—Hiring a Lawyer Can Feel Overwhelming
You’re stressed. You’re unsure what it might cost. Maybe you’ve been burned before. At Brabender Law, we make the process human, transparent, and low-pressure.
Here’s what you need to know—up front.
This page walks you through what to expect—step by step.
You’ll see how to contact us, what happens after you reach out, whether your case qualifies for a free consultation, and what it might cost if it doesn’t.
We’ve designed it to give you answers—not pressure.
Step 1: Reach Out (It’s Always Free)
The fastest way to get started is to [fill out our contact form] or [call us directly]. Either way, we’ll respond within a few business hours.
No charge to contact us.
- No fee to submit the form
- No fee to speak with our intake team
- No risk of surprise billing
We respond fast, and we won’t ghost you.
Step 2: Intake Call (Not Legal Advice—But a Real Person)
Once you reach out, a member of our intake team will contact you—usually within 1–2 business hours (or the next business day if you contact us after hours). You choose your preferred method: phone, email, or text.
Here’s what to expect:
- We’ll listen to what’s going on
- Ask a few clarifying questions
- Explain whether your issue is something we handle
- Let you know if you qualify for a free consultation or if a paid strategy session is the right next step
Note: This call is with a trained team member—not a lawyer—and doesn’t include legal advice. It’s designed to help you get oriented, not to solve the problem on the spot.
If we can help, we’ll guide you to the next step. If not, we’ll try to point you in the right direction.
Step 3: Free or Paid Consultation
If we believe we can help after your intake call, we’ll schedule the right type of consultation: either a free attorney consult (for specific cases) or a flat-fee strategy session.
Free Consultations
We offer free attorney consultations for these case types only:
- Security deposit disputes
- Personal injury
- Litigation defense (if you’ve been sued — not evictions)
- Probate (if you’re the estate representative)
- Consumer class actions
If your issue falls into one of these categories, we’ll schedule a free consult with a lawyer to talk through your situation and potential next steps.
Strategy Session – $295 Flat Fee
For all other legal matters, we offer a one-hour strategy session with an attorney for $295.
You’ll get:
- Legal advice tailored to your situation
- Clear, practical options for moving forward
- Coaching or guidance if you’re trying to handle things yourself
- A $295 credit toward your first invoice if you hire us afterward
Why we offer this: Many firms won’t give meaningful legal advice without a $5,000+ retainer. Our strategy session gives you real help—at a price designed to make legal support more accessible.
Learn more about strategy sessions →
How We Charge (By Case Type)
We structure fees based on the type of case—and we’re always upfront about cost before you hire us. No vague or surprise bills.
Case Type | Fee Structure | Details |
|---|---|---|
Security Deposit Claims | Usually Contingency | Often no upfront cost, depending on case strength and recovery risk. |
Personal Injury | Contingency | No recovery = no fee. We cover all costs up front. |
Consumer Class Actions | Contingency | No upfront cost. We advance case expenses. |
Lease Break Assistance | Flat Fee | Pricing varies based on risk and complexity. |
Tenant Rights Litigation | Hourly + Retainer | Starts at $2,500 just to begin. Total cost depends heavily on how the opposing party and court behave. |
General Litigation | Hourly + Retainer | Minimum $2,500 retainer. Most cases cost significantly more due to the unpredictable nature of legal disputes. |
Probate (Estate rep) | Hourly + Retainer | Starts at $2,500. Fees are usually reimbursed from the estate if you're the representative. Overall cost depends on estate complexity and court activity. |
How We Charge (By Case Type)
We structure fees based on the type of case—and we’re always upfront about cost before you hire us. No vague or surprise bills.
Usually Contingency Fee
Often no upfront cost, depending on case strength and recovery risk.
Contingency Fee
No recovery = no fee. We cover all costs up front.
Contingency Fee
No upfront cost. We advance case expenses.
Flat Fee
Pricing varies based on risk and complexity.
Hourly + Retainer
Starts at $2,500 just to begin. Total cost depends heavily on how the opposing party and court behave.
Hourly + Retainer
Minimum $2,500 retainer. Most cases cost significantly more due to the unpredictable nature of legal disputes.
Hourly + Retainer
Starts at $2,500. Fees are usually reimbursed from the estate if you're the representative. Overall cost depends on estate complexity and court activity.
💳 Payment & Billing Notes
- Credit cards accepted
- Payment plans and third-party financing may be available
- No litigation or probate work begins without an upfront retainer
Why We Don’t Quote Final Prices for Litigation or Probate
We understand that legal costs feel uncertain—and that’s frustrating. We wish we could offer simple, flat-rate pricing for every case. But in contested legal matters like litigation and probate, three forces determine how much your case will cost:
What We Do
This includes all of the work we control—things like:
- Crafting legal strategy
- Preparing filings, motions, and court documents
- Making court appearances and responding to case developments
- Communicating with you and explaining your options
We aim to be efficient, proactive, and transparent. But even if we’re working quickly and efficiently, two other forces often shape the complexity (and cost) of a case.
What the Other Side Does
Unfortunately, we can’t control how the opposing party behaves. They might:
- Cooperate and help resolve things quickly
- Drag their feet, ignore deadlines, or make unreasonable demands
- File aggressive motions or refuse to settle, which increases time and expense
Some cases settle in a few weeks. Others spiral because the other side wants to make your life difficult—or try to wear you down. We’ll guide you either way, but their actions impact cost.
What the Court Does
The court’s schedule, staffing, and procedures all play a role. This can include:
- Delays in processing paperwork
- Long gaps between hearings
- Last-minute continuances or rescheduling
- Judges making unexpected rulings that change your strategy
We do our best to predict what will happen based on experience—but courts are inherently unpredictable. Judges are human. They have different philosophies, preferences, and even bad days. Sometimes the assigned judge changes mid-case. Other times, a single unexpected ruling can shift your entire strategy.
The Bottom Line
That’s why we quote a starting retainer and provide you with a likely range of costs—not a fixed price. Before we do significant work, we’ll always walk you through your options, explain your risk, and get your approval.
We’re not trying to be vague—we’re being honest. And we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.
The Truth About "Free Legal Advice"
You’ve probably seen dozens of law firm websites offering a “free consultation.” But too often, that’s just a sales tactic—not a meaningful conversation.
What "Free Consultation" Usually Means
At many firms, a “free consult” means:
- A rushed, vague phone call
- No real legal insight
- High-pressure sales tactics
- A push to sign a retainer before you understand your rights
It’s not legal help—it’s a pitch.
What You'll Get at Brabender Law
We use the term “free consultation” carefully—and only when it means something.
- If your issue falls into one of our covered case types, you’ll speak with an attorney at no cost
- You’ll get clarity about your situation and next steps
- You won’t be pressured to hire us
If your issue isn’t eligible for a free consult, you can still get real legal guidance through our $295 strategy session—a clear, structured way to get answers without a huge commitment.
We believe people deserve real legal advice—not pressure, confusion, or bait-and-switch tactics.
Ready to Get Started?
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Start by talking to intake.
77 W. Washington St., Suite 2120, Chicago, Illinois, 60602
312-566-8456