A wise person once said that happiness is expectation divided by reality. Nowhere is this more true than in the attorney-client relationship. In order to be happy with your attorney, you must know what the fees will be for the case. You should also be sure and get a written fee agreement
My hourly rate ranges from $250.00 - $300.00, and I usually charge for my legal assistant's time at $85.00 per hour. We try to bill fairly. Some attorneys will capture and bill for every minute they spend in any way related to your case, and sometimes they choose to do marginally necessary things in order to increase fees. You have the right to ask about any attorney's billing methods and the bills you receive.
My minimum retainer is $2,500.00 for most matters. In matters of significant complexity or matters that require immediate attention to the exclusion of other cases, my retainer is usually $5,000.00, though it can sometimes be more or less, depending on the circumstances.
In cases where my retainer is $2,500.00, I will sometimes accept payments if the case does not require urgent action that keeps me from assisting my other clients.
