Attorney Advertising

Kathleen Centolella, Esq., PLLC (“Katie Centolella”, “we”, or “us”), has prepared this website to present only general information. This website is not intended as legal advice, nor should you consider it as such. You should not act, or decline to act, based upon the contents of this website. While we try to make sure that the information on our website is complete and accurate, laws can change quickly. You should always formally engage a lawyer of your choosing before taking actions which have legal consequences.

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.

We welcome your calls, letters and e-mail, but please keep in mind that merely contacting Kathleen Centolella, Esq., PLLC does not establish an attorney-client relationship between us, nor do we undertake any obligation to respond simply because you have contacted us. Before we can accept any new client, our professional obligations require that we determine whether or not there are any actual or potential conflicts with existing or former clients. Thus, absent express notification from us, you cannot assume that an attorney-client relationship exists.

Accordingly, you should not send confidential information to us, via this website or otherwise, until you have been notified in writing by us that a formal attorney-client relationship has been established. There is no guarantee that information sent without that notification will be kept as confidential.

If you already are a client of Kathleen Centolella, Esq., PLLC, please note that Internet E-mail may not be secure, and that you should not send sensitive or confidential information through Internet E-mail unless it is properly encrypted.

This website contains links to other websites on the Internet. These links are for convenience and information purposes only. Kathleen Centolella, Esq., PLLC cannot and does not endorse, recommend, sponsor or review the accuracy of the information, products or services contained in those websites.

Privacy Policy

Our Privacy Policy, linked at the bottom of every page of this website, describes how we collect, use, and share personal information.

Statement of Client’s Rights

Statement of Client’s Rights, Section 1210.1 of the Joint Rules of the Appellate Division, amended April 15, 2013 (22 NYCRR §1210.1):

1. You are entitled to be treated with courtesy and consideration at all times by your lawyer and the other lawyers and nonlawyer personnel in your lawyer’s office.
2. You are entitled to have your attorney handle your legal matter competently and diligently, in accordance with the highest standards of the profession. If you are not satisfied with how your matter is being handled, you have the right to discharge your attorney and terminate the attorney-client relationship at any time. (Court approval may be required in some matters, and your attorney may have a claim against you for the value of services rendered to you up to the point of discharge.)
3. You are entitled to your lawyer’s independent professional judgment and undivided loyalty uncompromised by conflicts of interest.
4. You are entitled to be charged reasonable fees and expenses and to have your lawyer explain before or within a reasonable time after commencement of the representation how the fees and expenses will be computed and the manner and frequency of billing. You are entitled to request and receive a written itemized bill from your attorney at reasonable intervals. You may refuse to enter into any arrangement for fees and expenses that you find unsatisfactory. In the event of a fee dispute, you may have the right to seek arbitration; your attorney will provide you with the necessary information regarding arbitration in the event of a fee dispute, or upon your request.
5. You are entitled to have your questions and concerns addressed promptly and to receive a prompt reply to your letters, telephone calls, emails, faxes, and other communications.
6. You are entitled to be kept reasonably informed as to the status of your matter and are entitled to have your attorney promptly comply with your reasonable requests for information, including your requests for copies of papers relevant to the matter. You are entitled to sufficient information to allow you to participate meaningfully in the development of your matter and make informed decisions regarding the representation.
7. You are entitled to have your legitimate objectives respected by your attorney. In particular, the decision of whether to settle your matter is yours and not your lawyer’s. (Court approval of a settlement is required in some matters.)
8. You have the right to privacy in your communications with your lawyer and to have your confidential information preserved by your lawyer to the extent required by law.
9. You are entitled to have your attorney conduct himself or herself ethically in accordance with the New York Rules of Professional Conduct.
10. You may not be refused representation on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or disability.