Attorney Billing Calculator

Most U.S. attorneys bill hourly, with rates ranging from about $150/hour for junior associates in small markets to $500-$1,000+/hour for senior partners at large firms. Other common arrangements include flat fees (common for simple wills, uncontested divorces, or basic incorporations), contingency fees (typical in personal injury cases, usually 33-40% of recovery), and monthly retainers for ongoing work.

A retainer is an upfront deposit, often $2,500-$10,000+, held in a trust account (IOLTA) and drawn down as the attorney bills hours. Unused funds are refundable. Some retainers are "evergreen," meaning you must replenish them when they fall below a threshold. Read your engagement letter carefully to understand which type you have.

Yes, especially for non-routine matters. You can ask for blended rates, fee caps, alternative fee arrangements, or discounts for prompt payment. Many firms will negotiate hourly rates for substantial or ongoing work. Always get the fee agreement in writing as required by most state bar rules.

Review invoices for vague entries ("review file"), block billing, duplicate work by multiple attorneys, excessive partner time on routine tasks, and charges for clerical work. Most state bars require itemized bills. If you cannot resolve a dispute with the firm, most states offer free fee-arbitration programs through the bar association.

Block billing is when an attorney lumps all of a day's tasks into a single time entry instead of listing them separately. That makes it hard to tell whether the hours are reasonable. Insist on itemized time entries broken out by task.

A flat fee is best for routine, well-defined work such as drafting a will, forming an LLC, or handling an uncontested matter. When the scope of the work is uncertain, hourly billing is more common.

No. Attorney fees are not subject to sales tax in most U.S. states, though a few states apply exceptions. Check with your tax advisor about your specific situation.