Attorney Fees
You work hard for your money and if you are going to hire an attorney, you’ll want to feel confident that everything reasonably possible will be done to protect and defend you.
Attorney Fees Must Be Reasonable and Ethical, Yet Fairly Compensate Highly Experienced Defense Counsel
In Michigan, ethics rules govern how attorneys can charge legal fees. Essentially there are three ways for an attorney to charge for their legal services: hourly, flat fee, or contingency fee. Contingency fees are not permitted for criminal cases in Michigan. In other words, a criminal defense lawyer cannot ethically charge a fee that is contingent on the outcome of a case.
The vast majority of experienced criminal defense lawyers charge flat fees. We generally charge flat fees based on the different phases of a criminal case for several reasons. Clients generally prefer flat fees, and by charging based upon the different phases of a case, you can be assured that you are not overcharged for services that are not provided. By charging flat fees that will include all the work necessary to represent you, you will know what it will know your legal fees, up-front, to hire our law firm. There will be no surprises and no unforeseen bills.
When an attorney with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. consults with you in person, they will tell you precisely what the fees are for whatever services you require. Generally, we will only be able to tell you the total legal fees after an in-person consultation. Although some lawyers simply provide “one size fits all” or generic pricing, we know that it is in our client’s best interest to take the time to make an expert determination of the time commitments and legal fees that may be appropriate for each client’s case. The fact is that every case is different, and although two clients may be charged with the same offense, each case may require a different defense. For example, one client may be looking for a plea bargain or a dismissal, and a different client’s case may need to go to trial are require motions to suppress evidence.
Free Consultation
Our fees are based on all of the above factors and discussed with you in detail during a free consultation. Although we do not charge for the initial consultation, we generally ask that you have an adequate method of payment with you at the initial consultation so that, in the event you decide to hire our firm, you will have the ability to do so at that first meeting. Often, work must be done on a client’s case right away to secure their rights and prepare for their defense. We accept all major credit cards and eChecks.
Ethical Considerations
Our fees take into consideration the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC). These rules provide that a lawyer must be “competent” and that the attorney fee must be “reasonable.” In determining whether a lawyer can provide competent representation in a particular matter, relevant factors include the relative complexity and specialized nature of the matter, the lawyer’s general experience, the lawyer’s training and experience in the field in question, the preparation and commitment the lawyer can give the matter, and the time commitment that will likely be necessary to handle the case.
Some of the specific factors to be considered in determining the reasonableness of a fee include the following:
- The time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill required to properly perform the legal service.
- The likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer;
- The time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances;
- The experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services.
Fees Charged by LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C.
We will quote a total attorney fee that is fair and reasonable to both the client and the firm during the consultation and after considering all ethical and legal standards. The fee charged in any case will be set based on the complexity of the matter, the strategy to be employed, the importance of the outcome, the anticipated length of litigation, and much more. Not everyone can afford to hire LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. on a felony or misdemeanor case. We will work hard to make a fee affordable for any prospective client, but the fees charged will reflect our experience, reputation, effectiveness, and track record of success.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete a Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!
