Glossary
Hourly fee
A billing arrangement where the lawyer charges by the hour for time worked on a case. Most common in business litigation, family law, criminal defense, and other matters where the work is hard to predict.
Hourly rates vary wildly by location, experience, and specialty: from under $200/hour in smaller markets to over $1,500/hour for senior partners at top firms. Lawyers usually bill in tenths of an hour (six-minute increments).
The lawyer should give you an engagement letter explaining the rate, what kinds of work get billed, and how often you'll receive bills. Insist on regular bills with detailed time entries: surprise five-figure bills are one of the biggest sources of attorney-client conflict.