Frequently Asked Questions

CJ Montgomery is licensed in Washington state. We handle all Washington state legal matters. For federal matters — intellectual property, DMCA, tax, FTC compliance — we can represent clients nationwide. We cannot handle state-specific legal issues outside of Washington (e.g., California landlord disputes or Texas family law).

The initial conversation is free and typically takes 20–30 minutes. We'll discuss your situation, assess whether you have a viable legal matter, and give you an honest recommendation — even if that recommendation is that you don't need an attorney or that a self-service tool would handle it fine.

Absolutely. Clients who arrive with research save time and money. You've already identified the issue — we verify the legal framework, assess the merits, and execute. Bring your notes, screenshots, AI chat transcripts — whatever you've gathered. It all helps. In fact, this is increasingly how people discover they have a legal issue worth pursuing in the first place.

Fee structures vary by case type. IP enforcement and consumer protection may be handled on contingency (no fee unless we win). Contract drafting and business formation are typically flat-rate. Complex litigation is billed hourly. We'll discuss fees transparently during the initial consultation before any engagement — no surprises.

Many legal situations are genuinely self-serviceable. Small claims under $10,000 in Washington can be filed without an attorney. Simple LLCs can be formed through the WA Secretary of State for $200. Basic contracts can be drafted with templates from LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer. Standard DMCA takedowns on major platforms have built-in reporting tools. If your situation fits these categories, we'll tell you — we'd rather you save the money and come back when you actually need us.

They're good at different things — see the comparison table on our Practice Areas page. Short version: ChatGPT is genuinely useful for researching your issue and drafting a first pass. LegalZoom handles standardized filings like basic LLC formation. But neither can negotiate with opposing counsel, represent you in court, send a demand letter that carries weight, or be held accountable if the advice is wrong. Online services are the template; we're the attorney who knows when the template doesn't fit.

Yes. AI-generated content ownership, training data IP disputes, AI tool compliance for businesses, automated decision-making liability — these are emerging areas and we're actively advising on them. Who owns content generated by AI? What happens when AI training uses copyrighted material? These questions involve federal IP and regulatory law, so we can assist clients nationwide.

Legacy Northwest is our attorney referral partner for Pacific Northwest legal matters outside our practice areas. Infinity Law Center coordinates dangerous drug and medical device litigation — if you have a potential pharmaceutical injury claim, they'll connect you with specialized counsel.

State matters are governed by Washington law — consumer protection (WA CPA), business formation, local contracts, state tax. Federal matters are governed by U.S. law — intellectual property, copyright/DMCA, FTC advertising rules, federal tax. A Washington-licensed attorney can handle both WA state and federal cases, but cannot practice another state's law. This distinction matters because it determines who can represent you — and a common mistake is assuming any attorney can handle any matter regardless of jurisdiction.

Depending on your situation, you may not need one. Alternatives include: self-service platforms (LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer) for standardized documents, AI tools for legal research and first drafts, small claims court for disputes under $10,000 in Washington, mediation for contract or business disputes, legal aid organizations for income-qualifying individuals, and bar association referral services. We cover this in detail on our About page — and we'll tell you honestly during a consultation if your situation is one where you don't need an attorney.