Fees & Billing
We offer a number of different fee arrangements depending on what we believe is appropriate given the nature of a proposed matter. It is important for you to understand that the fee we will charge for handling your matter directly relates to the time and complexity of that matter. In general, we offer three basic types of fee arrangements. However, we reserve the right to offer any of the fee arrangements below. Nothing on this page should be construed as an indication that we will offer any particular fee structure in any case.
At the outset, you should understand that litigation is likely to be expensive. In general, unless the amount in dispute is substantial, litigation is unlikely to be economical. While some smaller matters can be resolved in mediation or by settlement, you should seriously consider the amount of your potential claims before deciding to litigate.
Hourly Billing
The most common form of fee arrangement offered by our firm is hourly billing. We believe that in most cases, hourly billing represents the fairest way to measure the value of our time and ensure you pay a reasonable and appropriate fee. Under this arrangement, you will pay a set fee for each hour (or portion thereof) worked by our attorneys on your behalf as well as certain other expenses. Typically, hourly fees vary between $400 to $600 per hour, depending on the complexity, importance, and novelty of the issues involved in the matter. In all cases, you will be required to pay a retainer equal to a substantial part of the fees that we expect you will pay in your case. In a complex business case, you should expect to pay a retainer of at least $10,000 to $25,000.
Monthly Retainer
For clients with ongoing legal needs that do not involve active litigation, we offer a monthly flat fee retainers. In exchange for an agreed upon monthly retainer, the law firm will research and answer legal questions and address routine legal needs such as contract review, correspondence, or routine employment matters. This arrangement allows you to accurately forecast your legal budget for each month and to have confidence than we will be able to assist you.
Flat or Results-Based Billing
In some rare cases, we will offer to perform services for a flat fee as well as expenses. This fee may be tied to completion of a defined project or a monthly flat fee attendant to longer term work, such as litigation. This fee will be the same no matter how much time is required to complete the work at issue. Generally, a flat fee in a litigation matter is coupled with a contractually defined bonus for achieving milestones or specific client goals and a limitation of services to a particular scope or time period. Flat fees will typically be offered only in connection with a “limited representation.” As with hourly fees, we will require a retainer sufficient to cover a reasonable proportion of the fees we expect to charge in a given matter.
Contingent Fees
In rare cases, we will accept cases on a contingent fee basis. In this instance, you will pay a fee based upon what we collect for you. You will also be responsible for advancing all expenses attendant to your matter and will be required to pay a retainer sufficient to cover them before we begin work. Contingent fee arrangements are complex and subject to specific disclosures contained in our engagement letter. Normally, we do not offer contingent fee billing except in cases with substantial potential recoveries (normally in excess of $1,000,000), clear and defined damages, and a reasonable probability of recovery from the opposing party.
All fee arrangements are subject to the terms and conditions of our engagement letter.