Understanding how legal fees work is an important part of choosing the right attorney. At Salinas Associates, LLC, Marc Salinas believes that conversation should be clear, honest, and free of surprises from the very first meeting.
Attorneys generally rely on one of a few well-established fee structures. None is inherently better than another; the right choice depends on the nature of the case, how predictable its course is likely to be, and what the client is trying to accomplish. The most common fee arrangements are described below.
In hourly fee agreements, the client is billed for the actual time the attorney devotes to the matter, at a set hourly rate. This structure works well for cases whose length and complexity are difficult to predict at the outset - many civil litigation and family law matters fall into this category. Clients are often asked to provide a retainer, an advance deposit from which fees are drawn as the work is performed, and they receive statements showing how that time was spent.
A flat fee is a single, fixed price for handling a defined matter or specific stages of a case agreed upon in advance. Because the total cost is known from the start, a flat fee offers predictability and is often a good fit for matters with a reasonably well-defined scope. Many criminal cases are within this scope. The client knows exactly what the representation will cost, regardless of how many hours the work ultimately requires.
In a contingency fee agreement, the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the amount recovered, and that fee is earned only if the case produces a financial recovery. This structure allows a client to pursue a claim without paying legal fees up front, and it is mostly used in personal injury cases. Contingency fees are not permitted in some types of cases, including criminal defense and most family law matters.
Marc approaches fees the same way he approaches every other part of his representation - directly, fairly, and with the client’s goals at the center of the conversation.
The specific fee structure is never chosen in isolation; it is decided as part of a larger discussion about the client’s objectives and the type of case involved. That discussion is a collaborative one. Marc works together with each client to identify the arrangement that best fits the situation and is fair to both sides, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all formula.
The firm’s agreements are deliberately no-nonsense and straightforward, free of unnecessary complexity - because a client should never need a lawyer just to hire a lawyer. The terms are written in plain language so that clients know exactly what to expect.
They reflect the particular expertise each matter requires, more than 25 years of experience, and a record of proven results. From the very first consultation, clients can expect candid, straightforward guidance on fees so that the focus can stay where it belongs - on the case itself.