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While not every lawyer charges by the hour, the hourly cost for a lawyer’s services in California tends to range from $100 to $500 per working hour or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and specialization. If you experience a serious accident, you might find yourself overwhelmed in the face of an insurance claim or civil lawsuit. It is understandable to wonder if you need an attorney and how much a lawyer costs in California.

How Much Can an Attorney Charge in California?

How much does a lawyer cost in California​?

An attorney has the freedom to set their own rates, but they will consider what is fair and reasonable and will not likely deviate excessively from the state average. In California, the average hourly rate for a lawyer is $344 as of 2023. This figure is similar to that of other states and aligns closely with the national average.

It is important to keep in mind that a lawyer cannot surprise you with their service fees partway into your case. The State Bar of California specifies that your lawyer must present a fee agreement in writing upfront if they anticipate the overall costs to exceed $1,000 or more. This means that your lawyer will only charge you if you agree to their rates before receiving legal services.

What Is the Hourly Rate for a Lawyer in California?

A reliable attorney will factor in their own experience and reputation when determining their rates. A newly formed law firm might charge between $200 and $300 per hour, even if the individual attorneys have years of experience between them, due to lower overhead costs or the need to attract clients. On the other hand, a well-known attorney at an established firm can justify charging $500 or even as high as $700 per hour.

Even if your lawyer charges an hourly rate, it is standard to receive a bill for their services on a monthly basis. The firm will track the number of working hours spent on your case and charge you according to the agreed-upon rate. If your case lasts for multiple months, you can expect the firm to charge you each month, rather than requesting one lump sum after finalizing the case.

Do You Have To Pay Your Lawyer by the Hour?

Do all lawyers bill hourly in California?

No, paying an hourly rate is not the only available payment structure when working with a lawyer. Depending on the fee agreement that you sign with your lawyer, you might instead pay on a contingency basis or pay a fixed fee upfront.

Billing on Contingency

Billing on a contingency basis means that your attorney will not request any payment until your case is settled. Instead, your lawyer will receive a percentage of the settlement or payout you earn at the end of your case. You and your attorney will agree on this percentage before they begin working on your case in earnest.

Contingency fees are particularly common in personal injury cases or other areas of law where the primary goal is to recover a monetary settlement. A typical contingency fee ranges from 25% to 40%. At Sargon Law Group, our clients owe us zero payments if there is no recovery.

Billing by Fixed Fee

A retainer fee, or fixed fee, is a payment rendered to your lawyer entirely upfront. Under this arrangement, there is no hourly rate or contingency percentage to consider. 

Some lawyers may prefer this payment structure for cases they consider to be familiar and predictable. For example, a lawyer who specializes in slip-and-fall cases might be confident in the exact number of hours they expect to work a case after consulting with a client who received a slip-and-fall injury. In this case, it can be more convenient for both parties to simply determine a fixed fee.

Is There an Alternative to Hiring a Lawyer?

While hiring a qualified lawyer is highly recommended for securing the best possible outcome for your legal case, there may be limited self-representation options, though they are generally not advisable. It is worth your while to find and hire the best lawyer for your situation, regardless of cost. Search for the most qualified attorney in your area who practices the type of law that applies to your claim or lawsuit.

Not hiring a lawyer can make it much more likely that you will miss out on the compensation you deserve as the plaintiff or claimant in a legal case. An experienced attorney knows how to navigate every legal complexity and ensures that insurance providers will not take advantage of you. 

If you are the defendant in a civil case, a lawyer can help you understand the liability you might face. California follows the principle of comparative negligence, which means an injured person can still pursue compensation even if they are partially at fault. Your attorney plays an indispensable role in proving that you bear minimal fault for the other party’s damages.

How Can a Lawyer Help Your Case?

How can a lawyer help in California​?

Hiring an attorney is worth the cost because they leverage legal expertise entirely for your benefit. Insurance companies are businesses that will strive to preserve their own financial interests. It is important to have someone with equal or greater knowledge on your side who will fight for the outcome you want.

At Sargon Law Group, our attorneys aim to help your case by:

  • Investigating the cause of your accident or injury
  • Collecting evidence to prove the other party’s fault or disprove your fault
  • Completing paperwork and maintaining documentation for you
  • Negotiating with the insurance company and other lawyers
  • Representing you in court if necessary

Sargon Law Group is an Arizona-based firm that also practices personal injury law in California from our office in Encino, CA. When you schedule your free consultation with our attorneys, we can openly discuss how much we charge for our services in California and Arizona.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in California

At Sargon Law Group, we understand that money is tight when you have medical bills and lost wages to consider after a serious accident. That is why we operate on a contingency basis and only get paid if you do. Contact us today to learn more and get a free consultation with our Phoenix injury lawyer.