Contingency, Hourly, and Flat Fees
As with any financial matter, you should always discuss payment with an attorney before services are rendered. That way there will be no surprises in the end.
Depending on the nature of your case, many of our attorneys will work on a contingency fee basis. This means that what you pay in attorneys' fees, if any, will be a percentage of what the attorney recovers for you. Sometimes you may be required to pay court costs in addition to any attorneys fees.
Because most of the members of our service are sole practitioners or partners in small law firms, they can offer reasonable hourly rates that are significantly less expensive than what large firms charge per hour. And remember, like everything else in this world, attorneys fees are negotiable. Taking this a step further, ask our lawyers to provide you with a flat fee, or at the very least, a firm estimate of expected fees and costs.
A note of caution, a "retainer" is not the same thing as a flat fee or an estimate, but rather a payment of future legal fees.
Most importantly, don't be afraid to ask our attorneys questions relating to their past experience and fee schedules. Every situation is different, and even though it is our job to refer you to an experienced attorney, you will be responsible for paying your lawyers fees so don't be afraid to GET IT IN WRITING.
