While quality and value should be principal concerns when choosing an attorney, we know cost does matter. Engelman & Smith pioneered the suburban legal clinic in 1976 with the goal of making legal services more accessible. More than two decades later, we still offer rates that compare favorably with firms of similar quality.

Depending on the matter and your needs, we may offer various types of fee agreements:

Hourly Rates. The standard for legal services in America. Compensation is based primarily on the time spent, multiplied by the rate for the professional working on the matter. Each attorney at Engelman & Smith has a range of rates his or her work may be billed at, depending on such things as the complexity and intensity of the matter, how quickly results are required, volume of work, previous payment history, and individual client factors. Typically, trial work is billed at a higher rate than office work. Current rates at Engelman & Smith are $60-90/hour for paralegal services and from $90-$250/hour for attorney time. Bills are usually sent monthly and are payable upon receipt.

Flat Fee. For those clients for whom certainty is highly desired, and where we feel we can predict or limit the tasks to be performed, Engelman & Smith is open to fixed-price agreements, so long as the extent of services to be provided is clearly spelled out.

Clients should realize that, to a lawyer, time is money. We will not attempt to match or "beat" a quoted flat fee if, in our opinion, we cannot provide quality advice and service, or address unseen problems, for the price.

Contingent Fee. The contingent fee originated to accommodate injured persons who had good cases but could not afford to pay legal fees while their claim was being prosecuted. Today, contingent fees -- where the client only pays (usually a percentage of the amount involved) if the attorney achieves certain results -- are seen in a variety of contexts. The ultimate fee may be higher than if the client had been billed hourly; the advantage for a client is in deferring payment and reducing risk. Engelman & Smith will consider or offer contingent fee agreements where it makes sense for both the firm and the client, and if permitted by law. Contingent fees are illegal in divorce and criminal defense.

Retainer.Depending on the matter and the client's circumstances, an advance payment, or retainer, will often be required before the firm will undertake work. The amount will vary with the work we anticipate the matter will require. The retainer is applied against the hours billed, and any unapplied amounts typically refunded. A non-refundable retainer may also be part of a contingent-fee agreement. An ongoing retainer for clients who anticipate repeated legal needs is an excellent way to avoid having to open multiple files, and gives a client the security of having a lawyer "on call."

Expenses.Typically the responsibility for expenses other than fees (known as costs) is the client's. As a courtesy to the client Engelman & Smith will usually advance items such as court filing fees and bill the client later. Large expenses such as court reporter transcripts or expert fees may require advance payment by the client. Unlike the trend in many firms to use costs as a profit center, we do not charge for routine telephone, fax, or photocopy expenses, and do not mark up outside services such as messengers, copying, and express delivery. We believe clients know and understand that our fees cover our overhead, and that clients do not want to be nickel-and-dimed by lots of extra charges.

Initial consultation.Usually we will not charge for a short initial consultation to assess your matter and provide you with an estimate of what it will cost.

Legal services are information services. One significant way to reduce legal costs is by reducing the amount of guesswork and detective work your attorney has to do. This starts with the first meeting. See How to Make the Most Out of Meeting with an Attorney.

Engelman & Smith has earned a reputation for providing both value and quality. We are historically open to creative solutions that make sense for both client and lawyer. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

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