At Lardiere McNair & Stonebrook we encourage our clients to talk to us about our legal fees. We will make our best efforts to have a written fee agreement with every client.
Hiring a lawyer can be a significant financial commitment, but understanding how attorneys bill for their services can help you make informed decisions when deciding how to approach your legal matters. Lawyers use different billing methods depending on the type of legal work they handle.  Here’s a breakdown of the most common fee structures and tips on how to discuss legal costs.

Common Lawyer Fee Structures

1. Hourly Billing
One of the most common methods a lawyer uses is hourly billing. In those cases, attorneys and staff charge an hourly rate, which varies based on factors including their experience, and practice area. In these cases, we issue regular detailed bills, usually monthly.
2. Flat Fees
For straightforward legal matters such as drafting a will, reviewing a contract, or writing a letter, lawyers may charge a flat fee.
3. Contingency Fees
Often used in our personal injury cases, a contingency fee means the law firm only gets paid if you win or settle your case. Typically, our fee is a percentage (usually 33% to 40%) of any settlement or court award.
4. Retainer Fees
A retainer is an upfront payment that acts as a deposit for future legal work. The retainer is placed in the firm trust account.  The attorney deducts their hourly fees and costs from this amount as they work on your case. In some instances, usually once per month when the bills go out, the client is asked to replenish the retainer to a minimum balance in the trust account as work progresses.
5. Hybrid Fee Arrangements
In some cases, we offer a mixture of fee structures, such as an hourly rate combined with a partial contingency arrangement.
6. Legal Plans (provided by employers or insurance)
Many of our clients belong to legal plans provided by their employer or insurance company. Know the benefits of your plan and take advantage of those benefits.  Many times, we can help you determine what legal services are covered and what are not

Tips for Understanding and Lawyer Fees

1. Do Your Research – Compare our fees with other firms so you are comfortable with our fee arrangement.
2. Review the Written Agreement – Make sure the terms of the fee structure are clearly outlined in our fee agreement and that you understand the terms.
3. Talk to Us – Don’t be bashful about talking to us about your fees or your bills. We believe open communication is important to establishing a long-term relationship.
4. Review Your Bill – Many times your bill will also keep you informed on how your case is progressing. Regular billing statements can help you track costs and ensure you’re informed of the progress of your case.
5. Discuss Alternatives – In a small number of cases we offer limited-scope representation, where we only handle specific parts of your case to reduce costs.
6. Legal Plans – Talk to your employer or insurance company to see if you qualify for a legal plan.  Pay attention to what the benefits are.
7. Consider Legal Aid or Pro Bono Services – If you have financial constraints, some organizations or attorneys offer free or low-cost legal services.

Final Thoughts
The lawyers and staff at Lardiere McNair & Stonebrook understand that legal fees can be expensive. We hope that by understanding from the outset how our lawyers bill we can help you manage your expectations and  expenses effectively. Don’t hesitate to discuss payment options with us to find an arrangement that works for all of us.

Christopher L. Lardiere, Esq. is a Partner at Lardiere McNair & Stonebrook, Ltd., LPA.