Consider if you will, the following five stories:

• Alice was a college sophomore. Arrested for theft, she and her roommate were stopped in the mall parking lot by store security with a bag full of store merchandise, but no receipts. She is young and afraid. She should be—she is a criminal justice major, and conviction of a theft offense will cast a long shadow on her future. She was referred to you by Chris, an attorney in your networking group who has a general practice. This is your first referral from Chris.

Alice advises that her parents will pay your fee, and that you may call them to arrange payment. You deduce from her “permanent address” that they can afford it. You sign her up. She leaves.