My commitment to providing each client with high quality representation requires me to maintain a small caseload, as that’s the only way that I can ensure that each case gets the attention that it deserves. Some law firms operate under a different model; they make money by accepting lots of cases for a relatively low fee. I don’t work that way. I don’t have any ambition to be the lawyer with the most clients in Texas. My focus is on getting the best possible results for the small number of clients that I do accept.
Due to the fact that I maintain a small caseload, I have devised a lawyer retainer fee structure that puts my clients in the best position for negotiations, yet also grants me the freedom to fully prepare their cases for trial should negotiations fail. For criminal cases, I typically charge a base flat fee for pretrial representation, followed by either hourly rates or an additional flat fee for trial preparation and trial. The base lawyer fee depends on the complexity of the case, which is often related to the seriousness of the charge.
Please understand that I don’t like talking about lawyer fees. I want to talk about them once and then move on to the issues that govern your case, so please don’t haggle with me. If you’re the sort of person who thinks that defending yourself against a criminal charge is something that should be done on the cheap, please look elsewhere. That’s not the type of client that I care to have. [If you want to know more about why lawyers cost what they do, please read this article by Sam Glover [pdf]. As he says, when you retain a lawyer, you are hiring “someone who will lose sleep worrying about your legal problem so you can finally get some rest.”]
Having said that, although I don’t like talking about lawyer retainer fees, I do recognize that being charged with a crime is an unexpected expense. For that reason, I may be able to agree to a reasonable payment plan. I also devote a percentage of my practice to pro bono work. If you think your case qualifies, feel free to let me know.
Being charged with a crime is pretty much the most terrible thing that can happen to a person. I’m here to help. Let’s get the business of fees behind us quickly, so that we can start attacking your problem.