What is the Basis for a Legal Fee?
Attorney fees are generally a matter of agreement between the client and the attorney. There are no recommended fee schedules. While fees vary from attorney to attorney, the basic ingredient is the amount of time spent on a particular case.Clients are often unaware that the advice given to them in a few minutes or a few pages of a document prepared for them are products of much time and effort by the attorney and often by others in his/her office, such as legal assistants and secretaries.
The California Lawyer and the client should discuss the cost of the legal services at the initial meeting. The California Lawyer may not be able to forecast the exact amount of the time and effort required, but should be able to give the client an estimate based upon the information which the client can provide and the California Lawyer's past experience.
The client should not hesitate to raise the issue of legal fees at any time with his or her attorney. The client has a right to a detailed billing showing the California Lawyer's time and efforts in those instances where the fee is based upon an hourly rate.