FEES
FEES GENERALLY: Generally, the rate and type of attorney fee the client is charged is based on a contractual agreement between the client and attorney. The fee amount and type depend on the type of case, the level of difficulty, the amount of time the case is expected to take, and the experience of the attorney. Upon hiring an attorney, it is customary for the attorney to collect from the client a retainer, which is an advance payment on legal services to be performed. This retainer is held in a lawyer trust account, separate from the attorney's own funds, until the attorney earns those fees pursuant to the fee agreement or incurs expenses in relation to the case.
BASIC FEE FORMATS: There are several commonly used billing structures attorneys use to charge clients: flat fee payment; hourly rate, and contingent fee.
- FLAT FEE: A flat fee is an agreement between the attorney and client for the attorney to complete a specific task and for the client to pay the attorney an amount certain for completing that task.
- HOURLY FEE: An hourly fee is an agreed upon rate that an attorney will charge for each hour of work completed. Typically hourly fee agreements provide that the attorney will bill at 1/10th hourly increments, or 1/10th of the hourly rate for every six minutes of work performed.
- CONTINGENT FEE: A contingent fee agreement is an arrangement where the attorney is paid only where a favorable outcome is reached. Contingent fee agreements are prevalent in personal injury claims where the attorney receives a percentage of the amount recovered. Usually the attorney's percentage is between 33% and 40% of the gross amount recovered, plus any expenses incurred during the litigation. Contingent fees are not available in some types of cases such as criminal defense or family law.
MY FEES: My fee rates will depend on the type of case I am working on, the amount of my time the case will take, and the complexity of the legal issues. I usually request a retainer at the time I decide to accept a client and the client decides to hire me to cover expenses and attorney fees for the case.
Quinn E. Kuranz and The Office of Q.E. Kuranz, Attorney at Law, LLC is licensed to practice law in the state of OREGON. The principal office is located at 65 SW Yamhill St., Suite 300, Portland, OR 97204.
NOTICE: The Information provided in this web site is offered for informational purposes only. It is not offered as legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. Visiting this web site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Quinn E. Kuranz and the Office of Q.E. Kuranz, Attorney at Law, LLC, do not seek to represent you based upon your visit to or review of this web site. This web site may be considered advertising under the rules of the State of Oregon. You should not make legal hiring decisions based upon brochures, advertising, or other promotional materials.
NOTICE: The Information provided in this web site is offered for informational purposes only. It is not offered as legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. Visiting this web site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Quinn E. Kuranz and the Office of Q.E. Kuranz, Attorney at Law, LLC, do not seek to represent you based upon your visit to or review of this web site. This web site may be considered advertising under the rules of the State of Oregon. You should not make legal hiring decisions based upon brochures, advertising, or other promotional materials.