EXAMINING THE LEGAL BILLING RATES

EXAMINING THE LEGAL BILLING RATES
BY: MART GIL ABARETA
every time you want to avail legal assistance,
your finances are also one of your biggest
CONSIDERATIONS. I'M SPEAKING HERE IN TERMS OF
legal billing rates. these rates really vary
based on the experience, prominence and
PREROGATIVE OF THE LAWYERS. LAWYER FEES DIFFER.
now, the big question is - are these fees
reasonable for clients like you? is it just
ENOUGH FOR THE LAWYERS?

an article entitled "guide to legal services
BILLING RATES" SAYS THAT MOST LAWYERS WILL TELL
you that the practice of law is a noble
profession dedicated to the pursuit of truth and
JUSTICE. BUT ANYONE LOOKING TO HIRE A LAWYER
must realize that practicing law is first of all
a business. as a result, lawyers in private
PRACTICE ARE GOING TO CHARGE WHAT THE MARKET
will bear in order to make a profit from their
services. understanding this and having a basic
KNOWLEDGE AS TO HOW LAWYERS' CHARGE FOR THEIR
services may help you to negotiate the best deal
when you need to hire one.

i must say that all of the payment arrangements
stated in the said article are not more than
ENOUGH. I THINK, THEY ARE JUST ENOUGH TO
compensate for the time and effort a lawyer will
spend in your case. these arrangements include
HOURLY RATES, FLAT FEES, RETAINERS AND
contingent fees. the lawyer has the opportunity
to choose the payment plan that you'll have.
HOWEVER, THE CLIENT CAN STILL OPEN UP HIS VIEWS
if he disagrees with the lawyers' offer. it's
still up to them to decide about the final
PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS.

in addition, there are certain factors impacting
LAWYERS' FEES SUCH AS ADVICE, OUTCOME, OVERHEAD,
experience, time and effort, difficulty of case,
prominence of lawyer, geographical location, and
PREFERRED CLIENT DISCOUNT. ALL OF THESE AFFECT
the choice that a lawyer makes regarding the
payment arrangement that the client has to
COMPLY WITH.

indeed, it's important to understand how these
FEES ARE BEING TREATED UNDER THE DIFFERENT
payment arrangements. the decision if what type
of payment best suits your paying capabilities
STILL DEPENDS ON A GOOD COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
you and your lawyer. it may be hard to
compensate for this high-paying job but then it
WILL BE YOUR REPUTATION THAT'S AT STAKE HERE.

generally, it's always better to fairly settle
EVERYTHING FIRST - ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF LEGAL
billing rates - before commencing any legal
proceedings. through this, you'll certainly have
A SMOOTH-SAILING RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR ATTORNEY
towards the success of your case.

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