Las Vegas Nevada Bar Fee Information, Finding a Lawyer Cost

HOW LAWYERS CHARGE

Many people who need legal help are reluctant to see a lawyer because they are afraid that legal services are

expensive. Actually, in many cases, fees are moderate in comparison with the benefits gained or the losses

avoided. It often turns out to be more expensive in the long run not to see a lawyer.

How can I find out what it will cost for the legal services I need?

When you first contact a lawyer’s office to make an appointment, ask what the lawyer charges for an initial consultation. When

you consult the lawyer in person, ask at the outset about fees. It is in the best interests of both the lawyer and the client to

have a clear understanding of the fee for the lawyer’s services in advance so there will be no misunderstanding later.

How do lawyers charge?

There are three basic types of fees for legal services. In some cases, particularly civil litigation and

contested domestic matters, the lawyer will charge an hourly fee. The lawyer will keep accurate

time sheets describing the time spent on your case.

In certain other cases, lawyers charge a contingency fee, in which an agreement is made with the

client in advance that the lawyer will get, as a fee, a percentage of the amount recovered after

certain expenses are deducted. In this case, the lawyer is paid only if the client wins the case. In

most cases, the client will be responsible for the costs regardless of the court decision. This is

most commonly seen in personal injury cases.

Finally, there is a flat fee in which the lawyer has a set fee for the service to be provided, regardless

of the time involved. Flat fees are commonly used in defense of criminal charges, some civil

cases and routine matters such as uncontested domestic matters, and preparation of simple wills,

deeds and other similar documents.

How does a lawyer set a fee?

No two situations are alike. A lawyer will consider many of the following factors in arriving at a fair

fee:

• Time – A lawyer’s main stock in trade is time and advice.

• Office overhead – When you hire a lawyer, you are hiring the lawyer’s entire law office.

• Ability, skill and reputation – A lawyer often charges based upon his or her skill and reputation acquired in the professional

community.

• The relationship between lawyer and client – In an on-going relationship, in which the client uses the lawyer’s services

regularly with a continual history of payment, the charge for a particular matter may be less than if the employment of the

lawyer is on a one-time or casual basis.

Other issues may be considered in setting fees: novelty and difficulty of the problem; amount of responsibility assumed by the

attorney; custom in the geographical area; or preclusion of other employment during a particular case.

Does any court set rules on legal fees?

Yes. Nevada Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 defines the factors to be considered in determining the reasonableness of a

lawyer’s fees:

1. the time and labor involved, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal

service properly;

2. the likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other employment by

the lawyer;

3. the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services;

4. the dollar amount involved and the results obtained;

5. the time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances;

6. the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client;

7. the experience, reputation and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services; and

8. whether the fee is fixed or contingent.

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