Contingency
Personal Injury
Anyone injured through someone else's negligence
Typical fee33%–40% of recovery
ConsultationFree
Fee structureContingency
- No fee unless you win
- Attorney fronts costs
- Statute of limitations applies
Flat fee or hourly
Family & Divorce
Divorce, custody, prenups, adoption
Typical fee$500–$2,500 flat / $250–$500 hr
ConsultationFree or $75
Fee structureFlat fee or hourly
- Uncontested = flat fee
- Contested = retainer + hourly
- Mediation available
Flat fee
Criminal Defense
Misdemeanors, felonies, DUI, appeals
Typical fee$1,500–$15,000 by charge
ConsultationFree
Fee structureFlat fee
- Fee tied to case stage
- Trial premium if it goes to trial
- Public defender if you qualify
Flat fee per petition
Immigration
Green cards, visas, citizenship, asylum
Typical fee$800–$5,000+
Consultation$50–$150
Fee structureFlat fee per petition
- USCIS filing fees separate
- Bilingual attorneys common
- Court hearings billed separately
Contingency or hybrid
Employment
Wrongful termination, wages, discrimination
Typical fee33%–40% of recovery
ConsultationFree
Fee structureContingency or hybrid
- Fee-shifting statutes help
- EEOC filing handled
- Severance review flat fee
Flat fee package
Estate Planning
Wills, trusts, POA, healthcare directives
Typical fee$300–$3,000
ConsultationFree
Fee structureFlat fee package
- Full package usually flat
- Trust admin billed separately
- Updates cheaper than starting over
Flat fee + court filing
Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 or 13 filers
Typical fee$1,000–$4,500 + fees
ConsultationFree
Fee structureFlat fee + court filing
- Fee often payable in installments
- Court filing $338 (7) / $313 (13)
- Automatic stay stops collections
Flat, hourly, or subscription
Business & Contracts
LLC formation, contracts, disputes
Typical fee$500–$2,000 formation
ConsultationFree or $150
Fee structureFlat, hourly, or subscription
- Formation usually flat
- Contract work hourly
- Subscription plans emerging
Federally capped
Social Security Disability
SSDI/SSI applicants and appeals
Typical fee25% of back pay, max $9,200
ConsultationFree
Fee structureFederally capped
- Only paid from back benefits
- Capped by federal law
- Higher approval odds with counsel
State-capped contingency
Workers' Comp
On-the-job injuries and denials
Typical fee10%–25% of award
ConsultationFree
Fee structureState-capped contingency
- Cap set by state law
- No fee unless benefits obtained
- Employer cannot retaliate
Flat fee per ticket
Traffic Tickets
Speeding, moving violations, CDL
Typical fee$99–$499
ConsultationFree
Fee structureFlat fee per ticket
- Often no court appearance needed
- Reduces insurance impact
- CDL specialists available
Flat fee or hourly
Landlord & Tenant
Eviction defense, deposit disputes
Typical fee$500–$2,500
ConsultationFree or $75
Fee structureFlat fee or hourly
- Emergency eviction defense
- Small claims for deposits
- Fee-shifting in many states