Hourly, Flat, and Contingent Fees

Lawyers typically charge clients an hourly fee, flat fee, or contingent fee. The type and amount of the fee should be in the engagement letter that the lawyer sends to you when you become a client.

Under an hourly fee arrangement, the lawyer will charge you a fixed dollar amount per hour of work performed by the lawyer and their staff (paralegals, legal assistants, etc.). The lawyer and their staff will usually log their time in increments of 0.1 hours (6 minutes).

Under a flat fee arrangement, the lawyer will charge you a fixed dollar amount for a specific service, such as writing a will or a demand letter for you. If performing the service takes more or less time than usual for the lawyer, you will still be charged the same predetermined flat fee amount.

Under a contingent fee arrangement, the lawyer will typically not charge you fees upfront, but they will take a certain percentage of whatever you recover through a settlement or a verdict at trial. This is sometimes called a "no fee, no win" arrangement because if you do not recover anything, the lawyer does not get paid either. Contingent fees are riskier for the lawyer than hourly or flat fees.

Thickstun Luo LLC may be able to help you with your legal needs. Contact us today for a consultation.

LEGALESE is an online blog by Thickstun Luo LLC. The blog explains legal terms and concepts in plain English.

Disclaimer: The LEGALESE blog and the posts therein do not form an attorney-client relationship between you and Thickstun Luo LLC. Furthermore, this blog is not intended to render legal advice regarding your specific situation. You should consult an attorney for specific legal advice. Some content in LEGALESE blog posts pertain to state-specific legal rules and concepts that may not be applicable in every jurisdiction.