The questions below are the ones we are asked most often by prospective Bergen, Hudson, and North NJ clients. For practice-specific FAQs, see the practice-area pages — criminal defense, DWI, traffic, personal injury, family law, landlord-tenant, estate planning, and municipal court practice each carry their own FAQ section.
About the Firm
Who is Avery & Avery, Esqs.?
A two-attorney NJ trial partnership headquartered at 559 Bergen Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Ridgefield, NJ 07657. Robert W. Avery, Esq. (NJ Bar 1976; former Ridgefield Municipal Court Judge 1986-2000) and John S. Avery, Esq. (NJ Bar 2012; criminal defense and constitutional trial practice) handle every matter directly. Read more →
Where is the office?
559 Bergen Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Ridgefield, NJ 07657, in the same municipal complex as Ridgefield Borough Hall, Police, and Municipal Court. Phone: (201) 943-2445. Directions →
What counties do you serve?
Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Passaic, Morris, and Sussex. We do not claim to practice statewide — effective trial practice is geographically focused. Locations →
Consultation and Fees
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. The first consultation is free, by phone at (201) 943-2445 or in person at the Ridgefield office. There is no consultation fee, no intake fee, and no case-evaluation fee. Free consultation →
How quickly will I hear back after submitting the form?
Same business day for nearly every inquiry received during business hours. After-hours submissions get a callback the next morning; arrests and time-sensitive matters get same-evening callbacks.
What does an Avery & Avery engagement cost?
Engagement structures vary by matter type. Criminal defense, DWI, traffic, and most family-law matters run on flat or hybrid fees quoted in writing at engagement. Personal injury runs on contingency under R. 1:21-7 (no fee unless we recover). Estate planning documents run on flat fees. Full fee structure →
Practice Scope
What practice areas do you handle?
Eight practice areas: criminal defense, DWI, traffic, personal injury, family law, landlord-tenant, estate planning and probate, and municipal court practice. Practice areas →
Do you handle federal cases?
Yes. Robert W. Avery has practiced in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and at the United States Supreme Court (cert practice). Most of our docket is state-court NJ practice; federal matters are taken where appropriate.
Do you handle out-of-state matters?
The firm is admitted in New Jersey only. We will refer out-of-state matters to admitted-in-jurisdiction colleagues. Where the matter has both NJ and out-of-state elements, we coordinate representation across firms.
Do you take court-appointed cases?
We have. The firm’s docket runs primarily on retained engagements, but Robert and John have served on court-appointed counsel rosters for indictable matters in the past.
How We Work
Who at the firm will handle my case?
Robert or John personally — whichever attorney’s practice focus best fits your matter. Both attorneys handle every case from intake to disposition, including every court appearance. There is no “rainmaker partner / line associate” model at Avery & Avery.
Will you go to trial?
Most NJ matters resolve before trial — by plea, settlement, diversion, or stipulation. The settlement value is shaped by the trial-readiness of the position. We prepare every matter as if it will be tried.
What if I'm not sure my matter is one you handle?
Call (201) 943-2445 anyway. The consultation is free; we will either confirm we can take the matter or refer you to a colleague who is positioned to handle it well.
Confidentiality and Records
Is my consultation confidential?
Yes. Information shared at consultation is protected by NJ RPC 1.18 (Duties to Prospective Clients) even if we do not ultimately represent you. We will not represent any opposing party in the same matter.
How do you store client records?
Per NJ RPC 1.15 and R. 1:21-6 record-retention requirements, with reasonable technical and administrative safeguards. Privacy policy →
Schedule a Free Consultation
For matter-specific questions, see the practice page that fits your situation, or call (201) 943-2445.