Need a Lawyer on Call?

Small firms and sole proprietors don’t have the luxury of in-house counsel or retained attorneys. But small architecture firms still encounter many challenges similar to large firms when negotiating and interpreting contracts, handling disputes with clients and contractors, and a myriad of other circumstances where a lawyer may be needed.  For a limited time, LegaLine is now offering a fee waiver to help firms.

While LegaLine does not act as one’s attorney, it does provide legal information in response to your practice-related questions and problems. In addition, it may help one determine whether to hire a lawyer in a specific situation. Ultimately, the goal is to help small firms to manage their risks and prevent lawsuits from happening.

In addition, LegaLine can give insights on how best to structure profitable joint ventures, incorporate one’s practice, collect overdue or disputed fees, transfer firm ownership, and consider options when hiring or firing an employee. It’s important for architects to recognize the traps and pitfalls in their practice to avoid legal difficulties – and instead, increase profits by focusing on the business of architecture.

LegaLine is the AIA Trust Legal Information Service, a specialized benefit for AIA Members, ideal for small firms without in-house counsel or an attorney on retainer.  As a subscription service for legal information for architects, LegaLine enables members to discuss matters affecting risk management and their architectural practice with architects who are also lawyers and who are familiar with current practice issues.

By subscribing to LegaLine, the member has unlimited access to legal information. Subscribers receive prompt responses by telephone to practice-related legal questions all year long – and learn what to do to help prevent costly and destructive legal problems. LegaLine inquiries are answered by Charles R. Heuer, FAIA, Esq. or a member of his team. Mr. Heuer is an architect, attorney, professional liability consultant and mediator.

Components may also subscribe to LegaLine to offer their members the benefit of LegaLine’s response to their occasional questions. A component subscription entitles the component to a block of calls equivalent to what a firm would use and component staff may call or may direct members to call LegaLine toll free. (When a member’s firm has ongoing issues, an individual subscription to LegaLine is suggested.)

LegaLine Now Offering a Limited-Time Fee Waiver

In consideration of the state of the economy, LegaLine will waive the subscription charge until the end of 2010 for firms who subscribe during the months of July and August only. To enroll, a Subscriber Firm Profile and a Subscriber Agreement must be completed with payment. For more details or to subscribe, visit the AIA Trust website or call LegaLine directly at 1-800-688-9780.