Flat Fees

In some cases, we charge a flat fee for our services to keep budgeting simple for you. Flat fees are typically due upfront before work begins. Before we begin work on your case, we will provide an Estimate including the flat fee and any associated expenses. Once you approve this cost, we provide an Engagement Letter binding you to the fee and a link to pay the fee. Work will not begin until the flat fee is paid and the Engagement Letter is signed. 

Hourly Fees

In other cases, we charge hourly. We typically ask for a deposit upfront before work begins. Our current hourly rate for attorneys is $625.00. Support staff ranges from $150.00-$300.00. We charge hourly when the scope of work is hard to estimate or if we can get the work done more efficiently. We pass the savings on to you. Before beginning work on any new project, we will reach out with as best an estimate as possible. Once you approve the Estimate, we provide an Engagement Letter binding you to the fee and a link to pay the deposit. Work will not begin until the deposit is paid and the Engagement Letter is signed. All of deposit money still belongs to you until we earn it by working on your matter. Your bill will track the work performed to show you how much was taken out of your deposit and paid to the firm for the work that was done. If it ends up taking us less time to complete your project, you will be refunded whatever has not been earned by the firm or a credit can be applied to your account for future legal services. We will send an invoice statement around every 1-2 weeks, so you are kept up to date. For hourly work, we do our best to provide an accurate estimate, but it is just an estimate. We do our best keep you up to date as we work, but this may not always be possible. Hourly rates are subject to adjustment from time to time.

Retainers

To initiate our services, we require a deposit retainer. This is like a security deposit in the bank. This is NOT a flat fee and is NOT in addition to our hourly rate. It is like a credit on file with the firm. All of retainer money still belongs to you until we earn it by working on your matter. Your bill will track the work performed and show you how much was taken out of your retainer and paid to the firm for the work that was done. Should the costs of services rendered exceed this initial amount, you will receive a bill for the additional balance. To ensure uninterrupted service and the timely commencement of new projects, we monitor the funds in your account closely. When the account's balance falls below a certain amount, we will request a replenishment payment. This policy helps us maintain a seamless flow of work and guarantees that your legal needs are met without delay. If it ends up taking us less time to complete your case or for some reason you decide not to move forward with your case, you will be refunded whatever has not been earned by the firm.

Expenses

Please note that our legal fees are for legal services only and do not include any filing fees, expenses, or charges required by municipal, state, federal, or international agencies. In some cases, we may require an authorized payment method to cover these costs. In addition to our legal fees, you are required to pay for or reimburse us for all expenses incurred on your behalf. This includes but is not limited to state filing fees, shipping, photocopying, messengers, long distance telephone, travel expenses, computer assisted research, or court reporters. Before we incur expenses on your behalf, we will provide an Estimate of any associated expenses for you to approve. Once you approve the cost, we will run the expenses on your approved payment method. For expenses, we do our best to provide an accurate estimate, but it is just an estimate. We do our best keep you up to date as we work, but this may not always be possible. Where outside vendors are involved, you will be billed at our cost as reflected in the vendors’ bills in addition to any processing charges. For the following items, our charges are as follows: in-house duplicating: $0.20 per page and in-house messenger: $15 per trip.

Schedule

You will be billed as frequently as weekly for hourly projects and at least every 2 weeks, depending on the case. We will send an invoice through our billing system via email to your designated email address. Invoices are due upon receipt.

Payment

In general, payments can be made by credit card, eCheck, Zelle, Pay Later powered by Affirm, PayPal, Venmo, ACH, ApplePay, or wire transfer. No cash or check payments are accepted. For credit card payments, an additional 3.5% processing charge will be added to your total balance. For wire transfers, a $30.00 service charge will be added to your total balance. For PayPal, you are responsible for the processing fees determined by PayPal. Processing fees are subject to adjustment from time to time.

In exchange for the convenience of offering electronic payments, you agree to allow us to charge the Credit Card you have authorized to replenish your advanced retainer or for any unpaid invoices, and you specifically waive the right to chargebacks. If at any time you dispute the Firm’s fees or expense charges, you agree not to seek reversal of any credit/charge-card payments made to the Firm and, if you do so, you authorize the Firm to show your Engagement Letter to the bank or card provider in order to stop such a reversal and to reimburse the Firm for any reversal-related fees incurred. 

Payment methods may be restricted in some cases. Your invoice will include a notification of accepted payment methods.

Declined Payments

You are responsible for overdraft fees or bounced check fees if your payment is declined. You may also be responsible for our time spent managing and troubleshooting declined Credit Card payments.

Late Payments

If you do not pay for more than 30 days from the date of invoice, we have the right to stop work on your case or withdraw as your attorney.

If you do not pay an invoice for more than 90 days, we may charge interest on the entire total at a rate of 1% per month and 12% per year.

If we have to sue you to collect our fees, we are entitled to the costs, expenses, and attorney’s fees incurred from doing so.

According to the New York Fee Dispute Resolution Program, if there is a fee dispute costing between $1,000-$50,000, you have the right to arbitration. However, it is not obligated to arbitrate.