Fees and Billing
Establishing a fair and reasonable charge for legal services is an ethical obligation of every attorney. However, business matters requiring use of an attorney are rarely commodity or "cookie-cutter" affairs and often involve unforseen complications, obstacles and delays outside the control of the attorney and the client. Having a clear understanding of the method by which fees for services are determined and those tasks or factors which may materially increase those fees is the best first step toward a successful attorney-client relationship. Dennis K. Loy, P.C. pledges to make every effort to bill services in a fair, transparent and cost-efficient manner.
The following are the terms upon which legal services are ordinarily provided by Dennis K. Loy, P.C.:
Initial conversations are not billable. Clients are not responsible for fees until the attorney-client relationship has been established by mutual agreement.
Fees accrue on an hourly rate basis (hourly rate multiplied by time charged to the client).
An hourly rate is established upon the commencement of services.
All time devoted to a client's affairs is billable time, including business conversations, email and other correspondence, review and drafting of documents, legal research and required travel. Billable time is recorded in 1/10 hour increments. The determination whether time is chargeable to a client is made by the firm and the firm may from time to time elect to charge less than all billable time.
Clients are responsible for filing fees and other third party costs directly related to their matters. Telephone charges, most photocopying, faxing, ordinary postage and auto expenses incurred on behalf of clients are generally not charged back to the client.
Advance retainers are not ordinarily required. However, clients may be asked to advance material filing fees and other third party costs.
Estimates may be available in appropriate circumstances, but are only a good faith estimate and do not represent a fixed or maximum fee.
Invoices will set forth a reasonable description of services performed and the time charge for such services and reasonable substantiation for costs billed to the client.
Fees and expenses are generally billed monthly and are due promptly after receipt. Services may be suspended if an account is past due.
The client may terminate the attorney at any time. The attorney may terminate representation if the client's account is past due (or for any other reason permitted by the rules of professional conduct). A client remains responsible for fees and costs incurred prior to termination.
Client files may be destroyed at any reasonable time five or more years after termination of the representation. A client may request the return of client files at any time.
Disputed invoices are subject to mutual discussion and resolution. Resolution of a disputed invoice does not prejudice the right of either the client or the firm to terminate further representation.
All billing terms and conditions, including rates, are subject to change by the firm upon reasonable prior notice (not less than thirty days) to the client.
Fees accrue on an hourly rate basis (hourly rate multiplied by time charged to the client).
An hourly rate is established upon the commencement of services.
All time devoted to a client's affairs is billable time, including business conversations, email and other correspondence, review and drafting of documents, legal research and required travel. Billable time is recorded in 1/10 hour increments. The determination whether time is chargeable to a client is made by the firm and the firm may from time to time elect to charge less than all billable time.
Clients are responsible for filing fees and other third party costs directly related to their matters. Telephone charges, most photocopying, faxing, ordinary postage and auto expenses incurred on behalf of clients are generally not charged back to the client.
Advance retainers are not ordinarily required. However, clients may be asked to advance material filing fees and other third party costs.
Estimates may be available in appropriate circumstances, but are only a good faith estimate and do not represent a fixed or maximum fee.
Invoices will set forth a reasonable description of services performed and the time charge for such services and reasonable substantiation for costs billed to the client.
Fees and expenses are generally billed monthly and are due promptly after receipt. Services may be suspended if an account is past due.
The client may terminate the attorney at any time. The attorney may terminate representation if the client's account is past due (or for any other reason permitted by the rules of professional conduct). A client remains responsible for fees and costs incurred prior to termination.
Client files may be destroyed at any reasonable time five or more years after termination of the representation. A client may request the return of client files at any time.
Disputed invoices are subject to mutual discussion and resolution. Resolution of a disputed invoice does not prejudice the right of either the client or the firm to terminate further representation.
All billing terms and conditions, including rates, are subject to change by the firm upon reasonable prior notice (not less than thirty days) to the client.
