Most people calling a litigation firm want to know two things before anything else: what it costs to start, and how the bill behaves after that. Both answers are on this page.

Litigation is billed by the hour against a retainer. The retainer is deposited in the firm's trust account and drawn down as work is performed. Litigation engagements begin at a $7,500 retainer. Trust, estate, and business disputes begin at $10,000, because they move faster and demand more work early.

The retainer is evergreen. When the balance in trust falls below a threshold set in your engagement letter, you restore it to the original amount. This is stated up front for a reason. A retainer that quietly runs out mid-case leaves the client with an unexpected bill and the firm carrying credit, and neither party is served by discovering that in month three.

We generally take litigation matters where the amount in dispute exceeds $25,000. Below that figure, hourly litigation usually costs more than the dispute is worth, and saying so early is more useful than taking the case and proving it. Smaller matters are handled on a flat fee where a defined piece of work will resolve them, or referred to a firm better suited to them.

Defined-scope work is quoted as a flat fee, paid in full at the start, so the price is known before the work begins. A demand letter and the negotiation that follows runs $2,500 to $4,000. A contract or document review with a written opinion runs $1,500 to $2,500.

Costs are separate from fees. Court filing fees, service of process, recording fees, deposition transcripts, mediators, and experts are billed as incurred and are not part of the retainer.

Your hourly rate, your retainer amount, and your replenishment threshold are all stated in writing in the engagement letter before you sign it. Nothing about the fee arrangement is left to be worked out later.