Fee Arrangements

We believe that fees should be predictable and reasonable. To that end, we are willing to work under a variety of different fee arrangements, depending on the suitability for a given matter. We are always willing to work under an hourly fee arrangement, although this seldom provides predictability in cost for clients, which we would prefer.

Consultations are always free. Please do not hesitate to consult with us regarding a legal issue that is of concern to you. We will not undertake actual representation until we have reached a fee arrangement that is acceptable and agreeable to you.

Hourly fees: vary based on the nature of work. Mark Pickrell’s general fee is $250/hour for office work, $400-600/hour for courtroom and deposition work. Associates are billed at $150/hour for office work and $250/hour for courtroom and deposition work.

Fixed fees: vary, sometimes greatly, based on the nature of work. We believe that most representation should be based on fixed fees, providing maximum predictability for clients and removing fee issues from our relationship once a matter is commenced.

Phase billing — this type of billing is a variant of a fixed fee. Instead of establishing a fixed fee for an entire case, however, fixed fees are established up front for the stages of litigation (usually pleadings stage; fact discovery stages (usually including document production, deposition, and expert discovery); mediation; trial work; and appeals).

Contingency fees: usually best for plaintiff-side work, including securities work and collections matters, where the client does not want an hourly arrangement or a fixed fee. The standard contingency-fee arrangements apply (25% for settlement prior to trial preparation; 33 1/3% after trial preparation; 40% if an appeal is required). For appellate work in cases in which a contingency has already been established, we will work with trial attorneys for a standard 7% contingency fee.

Combination fees: some cases, including defense contingencies, are best handled using a combination of a fixed fee with a contingency. Defense contingencies usually involve a reduced fixed fee coupled with a success contingency percentage or other predetermined success bonus.

We are open to each of these types of fee arrangements, or any other reasonable arrangements that a client desires.