Phone Consultations - Can I talk with an Equine Attorney about My Legal Matter?For Horse-Related Legal Issues, Custom Contracts, Business Planning, LLC and Incorporation Formation, and General Legal Advice:
Yes, IF:
Consultations for Horse-Related Issues with National Equine Organizations:
For equine attorneys practicing in other states and Canada, please see our Attorney Directory. For Horse-Related Issues with National Equine Organizations (such as USEF, USDF, Breed Associations, etc.): Yes – Available to all U.S. residents 
Note: With the exception of issues involving national equine organizations, ELS cannot practice law in states other than California, New York, Oregon or Washington.
Also Note: This restriction does NOT apply to ELS’ legal forms – they are valid in all fifty states and may be purchased and used by anyone in any state. For a list of equine attorneys practicing in other states and Canada, please see our online Attorney Directory |
How Do I Request a Consultation?Go to our Contact Us page and click on the appropriate description box link to request a consultation.
Why Must I Fill Out a Pre-Screening Form for Some Types of Consultations?Equine Legal Solutions specializes in equine law. Due to the limited number of firms that practice equine law, we are often contacted by BOTH parties in a matter. Legal ethics rules prohibit ELS from speaking with anyone regarding a legal matter where ELS may have a conflict of interest (for example, one of the other parties was a previous client of ours, excluding forms customers). If there IS a conflict of interest, we would need to refer you to another attorney.
What Days and Times Do You Schedule Consultations?
Note: Consultations are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Also Note: We restrict consultations to these days and times to allow us to focus on our legal clients. How Much Does a Consultation Cost?An initial 30-minute telephone consultation with equine attorney Rachel McCart is $225.00. Subsequent consultations for the same issue will be billed at our hourly rate. Once you are approved for a consultation, ELS will bill you electronically. The fee must be paid before you provide details about your situation and before your consultation can be scheduled. For your convenience, ELS accepts all major credit cards.
If the subject of your consultation is an LLC formation or incorporation and you hire ELS to perform that work for you within 30 days after your consultation, you will receive a credit for the consultation fee toward the price of your entity formation. Please note, however, that the consultation fee is non-refundable. So, What Are the Steps to Schedule a Legal Consultation for a Legal Issue?
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What Will My Initial Consultation Include?
Prior to your appointment, ELS’ equine attorney will review materials you have provided. During a 30-minute consultation for legal issues, our attorney will provide you with an initial assessment of whether she believes you have a viable legal case, and if so, what your options are for resolving your matter and how much those options might cost. Time permitting, our attorney will answer any other questions you may have pertaining to your case.
When appropriate for your case, ELS may refer you to an attorney in a different practice area or geographic location.
When appropriate for your case, ELS may refer you to an attorney in a different practice area or geographic location.
Can I Call You and Schedule a Consultation Over the Phone?
No. Before you provide ELS with ANY details about your legal matter we must ensure there is no conflict of interest. For that reason, we require that you submit our online Pre-Screening form to request a consultation. Please do not call and provide any legal details to our receptionists or leave any legal details on voicemail.
Even if your consultation is not regarding a legal issue, it saves both you and ELS time and effort when you submit our online request form.
Please Note: Our receptionists, forms manager and technical support staff are NOT attorneys and therefore cannot give legal advice.
Even if your consultation is not regarding a legal issue, it saves both you and ELS time and effort when you submit our online request form.
Please Note: Our receptionists, forms manager and technical support staff are NOT attorneys and therefore cannot give legal advice.
What Information Will I Need to Provide Prior to the Consultation?
Once your consultation invoice has been paid, you will be asked to provide ELS with detailed information and documents that are relevant to your matter. We will provide a checklist of types of information, acceptable file formats and a link to upload your files to a secure online folder. A detailed timeline of events to date and copies of contracts, vet reports, diagnostic images and x-rays, pertinent emails and texts are all helpful to ELS’ attorney in order to best advise you on how to proceed with your situation. All required information must be uploaded before we will schedule your consultation.
Can I Email Contracts or Other Information for My Consultation?
Because many documents and images are too large for email, we will provide you with an electronic link to upload your files directly to a secure folder on our server. If you are unable to upload your information or need help with your files, we will assist you. Please don’t send us any details about your legal matter until ELS asks you to do so.
Because most people now have computers and electronic transmission of documents is easy and reliable, we no longer offer faxing as a method of providing information.
Because most people now have computers and electronic transmission of documents is easy and reliable, we no longer offer faxing as a method of providing information.
Will My Information Be Kept Confidential?
Absolutely! All information that you provide ELS’ staff and attorney prior to, during and after the consultation will be kept completely confidential.
Do You Offer Consultations for Matters Unrelated to Legal Issues?
Of course - as long as you meet our qualifying criteria for legal services. ELS would be happy to advise and assist you with your other equine-related needs. Here are other services we provide:
Customized Forms – If you need a contract or liability release other than ELS’ currently available equine legal forms, or would like a form that is specific to your unique needs, we would be happy to draft one for you.
LLC Formation / Incorporation – ELS can advise you on protecting your personal assets by separating your family’s assets (house, bank accounts, truck, horses) from your business-related assets. Along with insurance and contracts, incorporating your horse-related business is one of the most important steps you can take to minimize risk to your personal assets.
Business Planning and Advice – Starting and operating an equine business can be challenging! ELS can provide expert business advice and planning, information about equine insurance, how to introduce a new boarding contract to existing boarders at your recently-purchased boarding facility, explain the importance of liability releases AND equine insurance and why you need both, explain why liability releases are a must even if your state has an Equine Activity Statute, provide a spreadsheet for a boarding business, and much, much more.
General Equine-Related Advice – We can help with much more than business planning – If you need solid legal advice about topics such as horse partnerships, need a “buyer’s checklist” for purchasing a horse (that includes what NOT to do), have questions about allowing friends to ride your horses – ELS can answer those types of questions as well.
Customized Forms – If you need a contract or liability release other than ELS’ currently available equine legal forms, or would like a form that is specific to your unique needs, we would be happy to draft one for you.
LLC Formation / Incorporation – ELS can advise you on protecting your personal assets by separating your family’s assets (house, bank accounts, truck, horses) from your business-related assets. Along with insurance and contracts, incorporating your horse-related business is one of the most important steps you can take to minimize risk to your personal assets.
Business Planning and Advice – Starting and operating an equine business can be challenging! ELS can provide expert business advice and planning, information about equine insurance, how to introduce a new boarding contract to existing boarders at your recently-purchased boarding facility, explain the importance of liability releases AND equine insurance and why you need both, explain why liability releases are a must even if your state has an Equine Activity Statute, provide a spreadsheet for a boarding business, and much, much more.
General Equine-Related Advice – We can help with much more than business planning – If you need solid legal advice about topics such as horse partnerships, need a “buyer’s checklist” for purchasing a horse (that includes what NOT to do), have questions about allowing friends to ride your horses – ELS can answer those types of questions as well.