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Transparency in Legal Fees: Understanding Our Billing Philosophy

Transparency in Billing
Shareholder Attorney$475 – $650
Associate Attorney$300 – $450
Board Certified Paralegal$275
Paralegal$200
Legal Assistant$150
Weighted Average Hourly Rate per Case$450

One of the most common questions clients ask—and rightly so—is: “How much is this going to cost?”

At our firm, we believe that transparency is the foundation of a successful attorney-client relationship. We don’t believe in “black box” billing. Instead, we utilize a model designed for efficiency, ethical compliance, and high-level strategy.

Here is a breakdown of how we manage your investment in your case.

1. The Right Professional for the Right Task

We do not believe in a “one size fits all” hourly rate. Legal work involves a variety of tasks, from complex trial advocacy to administrative document organization. To ensure you are billed fairly, we assign every task to the lowest-cost professional capable of performing that task at our standards.

  • Strategic & Court Work: Handled by senior counsel.
  • Drafting & Research: Often handled by associates.
  • Organization & Filing: Handled by our skilled paralegal and support staff.

By leveraging a team-based approach, we ensure you aren’t paying “partner rates” for tasks that a paralegal can handle expertly.

2. Efficiency in Increments

We bill on a quarter-hour (15-minute) basis. This allows for a precise reflection of the time spent on your file. While individual hourly rates vary across our team, we keep a close eye on the “Effective Rate” of your case.

When you add up the total billing across a case and divide it by the total hours spent, our average effective hourly rate is under $450/hour. This is a direct result of our commitment to assigning tasks to the most cost-effective professional available.

3. Why We Charge for Consultations

You will see many firms offering “Free Consultations.” In our experience, these are often little more than marketing presentations or high-pressure sales pitches.

We charge for initial consultations because they are substantive strategy sessions. When you sit down with us, we don’t just “chat”—we work. During this session, we:

  • Listen carefully to the specific facts and nuances of your case.
  • Explain the Texas legal process as it specifically relates to your situation.
  • Lay out an initial, actionable strategy for completing your case.

You leave that meeting with a roadmap, not just a brochure.

4. The Retainer and Trust Account

Every case requires an initial retainer, which typically ranges from $5,000 to $100,000, depending on the complexity and nature of the litigation.

These funds are placed into a Trust Account. This remains your money until we perform work and bill against it. Our relationship with your trust account is governed by strict transparency:

  • The 40% Rule: To ensure your case never loses momentum, we require a “refresh” of the trust account if the balance falls below 40% of your initial retainer.
  • The Refund Policy: We only keep what we earn. When your case is concluded, any funds remaining in your trust account are refunded to you in full.

5. Why We Don’t Offer Flat Fees or Contingencies

In Texas, the State Bar considers contingency fees (where the lawyer takes a percentage of the “win”) or certain flat-fee arrangements to be unethical in family law cases. Because family law involves sensitive issues like child custody and the division of marital estates, the law requires that an attorney’s financial interest does not conflict with the best interests of the family or the integrity of the marriage relationship. We strictly adhere to these ethical guidelines to protect the validity of your outcome.

Strategy Starts Here

We are here to provide clarity in a difficult time. If you are ready to move from uncertainty to a clear legal strategy, contact us to schedule your substantive consultation.