Why is SUM worth it?
Because you have invested a great deal of time and money and have made plenty of sacrifices to get where you are. Why allow your progress to be blocked by maddening irrational and seemingly indecipherable circumstances that, with proper guidance, are understandable and manageable? We've been there. We speak the language of partners and law firms, and we can help you decode the mysteries of law firm life. By arming you with that understanding, we can help you move past the hurdles, maximize your potential, and achieve your career goals.
Will there be homework?
Of course. To start, you will complete SUM Consulting Solution’s proprietary Intake Questionnaire. Your answers will give us a good sense of how we can best help you. Then, we will work with you to tackle the personalities and situations that are getting in your way or causing you grief. That’s going to require some thought and preparation. SUM will guide you to the questions you need to ask yourself, but you will need to spend time working on those questions outside our session so that you can come to your session prepared to discuss your answers. Whether you are focused on how to position yourself for partnership, stymied as to whether to seek a partnership position or considering moving to a different firm or hanging out a shingle or getting out of law entirely, we’ll review in depth your answers to the Intake Questionnaire, which just might be the hardest assignment you'v had since trying to learn the Erie Doctrine.
What should I bring to the first session?
Your signed agreement and, depending on your notetaking preferences, your Tablet, laptop or hard cover blank notebook with lined pages and pen. You will have already submitted to us, on line, our Intake Questionnaire and a digital copy of our agreement.
Where will we meet?
It depends on your schedule and availability. Ideally, we will meet in SUM’s offices in Northern Westchester, but if that’s not convenient, we can meet in SUM’s mid-town Manhattan offices, another location of your choosing, or by video conference.
When will we meet?
SUM works 6 days per week – Sunday – Friday, morning, afternoon and evening. We will find a mutually convenient time.
How long does each session last?
We will have a preliminary, complementary session that will last about 20-30 minutes. Then we will meet for 60 minutes each week.
How many sessions can I expect?
The minimum is 3 sessions. The ideal number is anywhere from 6 sessions to one session weekly on an on-going basis.
How much does it cost?
The 3-session package is $1,000. The per session price decreases as you make more of a commitment. So a 5-session package costs $1500, a 10-session package costs $2900, and the per session price for a 3-month, once weekly package is $275. SUM will also credit you 50% of a session for every referral you make to SUM that results in a new agreement between SUM and a client.
What if I'm not satisfied?
Our preliminary 15-20 minute session is on the house. If you don’t want to proceed, there’s no cost and no obligation. After that, the refund policy depends on the package you select and reflects the work that SUM will do to prepare for subsequent sessions. So, the 3-session package can be canceled after the first session, and you will receive a full refund on your second and third sessions. If you cancel the 3-session package after the second session, you will receive a 50% refund on your third session. The refund policies for all other packages (except a once-weekly package) are similarly structured: if you cancel after your first session, you will get a full refund on all remaining sessions. If you cancel after your second session, you will receive a 75% refund on all remaining sessions. After the third session, you will receive a 50% refund on all remaining sessions. For the once-weekly sessions, the refund is tied to the length of your commitment.
Can I add on sessions?
Yes. Absolutely.
What about confidentiality?
Whatever you discuss in your session will remain strictly confidential. We don't work for or get paid by any law firms. We don't solicit law firms for names of associates. We are totally independent. So if you feel the need to bare the truth about Partner X and how she makes your life miserable, feel free to do so. We'll figure out how to work with or around Partner X, who will never know we're talking about her.