How much does it cost to hire William for a general case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does William offer a free consultation?

William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.

How long do general cases in California typically take?

Simple general matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can William take my case if I'm outside Sacramento?

William is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with William?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is William accepting new general clients right now?

William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

William Erle Dopkins III, General Attorney in Sacramento, California

Over 54 years of legal practice · focused on General, Insurance, and Litigation · 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review

MemberatWilliam E. Dopkins, III A Professional Corporation

Sacramento, CA

Practicing general in Sacramento since 1972.

54+: Years practicing
4.4 ★: 1 client review
2: Bar admissions

Practices in

General Insurance Litigation Medical Malpractice Personal Injury Product Liability

Are you William Erle Dopkins III?

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Quick answer

William Erle Dopkins III is a member based in Sacramento, CA. The practice focuses on General, Insurance, and Litigation. William has over 54 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at William E. Dopkins, III A Professional Corporation. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in: Sacramento, CA
Experience: over 54 years
Known for: General · Insurance · Litigation

Handles General, Insurance, and Litigation matters from Sacramento, CA.
Over 54 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with BV Distinguished.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by William Erle Dopkins III

William concentrates on general, insurance, litigation, medical malpractice, and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

General cases in Sacramento, California

William takes general matters in Sacramento, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.

Insurance cases in Sacramento, California

William takes insurance matters in Sacramento, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in Sacramento, California

William takes litigation matters in Sacramento, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.

Medical Malpractice cases in Sacramento, California

William takes medical malpractice matters in Sacramento, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.

Personal Injury cases in Sacramento, California

William takes personal injury matters in Sacramento, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.

Biography

About William Erle Dopkins III — Over 54 years of California general experience

William Erle Dopkins III is a lawyer practicing personal injury, trial practice, insurance and 5 other areas of law. William received a B.S. degree from University of California at Berkeley in 1968, and has been licensed for 54 years. William practices at William E. Dopkins, III A Professional Corporation in Sacramento, CA.

How William handles general matters

The kind of cases William takes

William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for general, insurance, and litigation matters in Sacramento and the surrounding California area.

Credentials

William Erle Dopkins III's legal education and bar admissions

Boalt School of Law, University of California
J.D. · 1972
University of California at Berkeley
B.S. · 1968

Jurisdictions

William's state bar admissions

U.S. District Court,
1972 · ACTIVE
California
1972 · ACTIVE

William studied at J.D. in Boalt School of Law, University of California and B.S. in University of California at Berkeley.

Law school and academic background

William completed J.D. in Boalt School of Law, University of California and B.S. in University of California at Berkeley. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Awards, publications, and recognition of William Erle Dopkins III

William has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

BV Distinguished

Legal awards and honors

BV Distinguished.

Affiliations

William's professional memberships and bar associations

Sacramento County Bar Association State Bar of California Association of Defense Counsel Consumer Attorneys of California
membership

Locations

William Erle Dopkins III's office in Sacramento

William's primary office is at 815 University Ave., Sacramento, CA, 95825. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

William E. Dopkins, III A Professional Corporation

815 University Ave.

Sacramento, CA 95825

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of William Erle Dopkins III — 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of William. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing general attorneys in Sacramento.

4.4

1 client review

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once William Erle Dopkins III claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire William Erle Dopkins III — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new general attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a general attorney in Sacramento, California

A short list to run through before you commit: How many general matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for William

William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in general practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every general matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many general practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about William Erle Dopkins III

How much does it cost to hire William for a general case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do general cases in California typically take?
Simple general matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside Sacramento?
William is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with William?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new general clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

General attorneys serving Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California

William handles general matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified general attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If William's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these general attorneys in Sacramento handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.