Are Top Lawyers Really Billing At $800/hr?

Experienced lawyers (i.e. the white hairs) at big law firms in Texas bill between $600-$1,200/hr (possibly rare circumstances where they bill more) depending on the practice area and specialties. You could request the less experienced partner that bills $500/hour, but you'll pay for them to spend hours figuring out what Gandolf already knew. You might find the relevant expertise in a small firm for a fraction of the rate, but it may take you a while to locate them.

- 3rd yr associate in a Texas firm.

This isn't a huge deal or anything, its just basically now bc margins are crumbling in the o&g industry, alot of the jobbers are trying to take back leased premises they've been leasing recently to cut out the middle man. I own 5 stores, well 4 with the land and 1 I lease bc they have been unwilling to sell the property bc its a high traffic location worth well over its appraisal. So they sent me a notice yesterday that when my lease is over in 8 months it will be terminated but I spoke with this attorney and he'd gotten calls from other dealers recently and alot are dealing with the same issue bc the jobbers are trying to kick them out but bc of the petroleum marketing practices act they cant just kick them out...but no not a $1B deal or anything but I need someone to represent my interests thats all and make sure I get a buyout or attempt to buy the property or whatever we can come to a resolution over. I just didnt know the going rate to handle such a matter.

A really good one? Sure, I can believe it and in certain situations it could be a bargain.

If you have a complex case it can be a very good deal since someone less experienced will take longer to figure out what the top guy knows by heart ... and might still get it wrong.

The problem of course is that you have no idea what you're getting.

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The problem of course is that you have no idea what you're getting.

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For $800/hr you better be able to google a whole bunch of achievements, notable clients, Supreme Court victories...

There are plenty of firms out there made up of former big firm partners who bill at 1/2 that intentionally...there's a large market for skilled/trained former big firm lawyers at 1/2 the rate.

My brother is an Intellectual Property lawyer and he bills more than $800/hr

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"Top laywers"? Yeah. That much and plenty more. Usually they're partners at places like V&E, Skadden Arps, etc. and they handle billion-dollar deals.

A decent-to-great lawyer shouldn't be more than $400/hr.

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I recently paid $400/hr to a decently young, but extremely good tech lawyer. Thought that was crazy but it is what it is.

Last time I used a "top lawyer" was 15 years ago for one of the big name firms in NoLa and for long term work it was $250/hr.

Sure wish my earnings kept up with lawflation.

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My opinion is based on if you think it will go to an actual courtroom/arbitration, or not. If this is something that will likely be settled, I would think $800/hr would be too high.

My experience is with my divorce attorney in Houston. He is very well known and because I know him personally, he cut me a "break," at $800/hr and had paperwork/filings done by a lower level attorney at his firm for $400/hr. He was worth every penny once we went to court and I would have been sorely disappointed in the lower level guy, if he was all I had in the courtroom.

Oh, and be prepared to put down a large amount up front to begin covering that hourly rate . . . an it will run out quick

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Ya they're not suing me for anything and Im not suing them, yet, I had him look over my lease and basically the letter they sent me was a courtesy from the attorneys representing my landlord, that when my lease is up in 8 months they will not be renewing it. The attorney told me this is happening to lots of dealers now and basically there is a petroleum marketing practices act in place where you can't just be terminated, they have to make you a legitimate offer to buy the place first. I've been trying to buy it before but have been declined for year, so I just need an attorney to handle whatever is going to happen, I have no idea how many billable hours are required or what will come of it. I just wanted someone to let me know what will come of the letter I received. My tax attorney is the only attorney I pay on a regular basis and he's reaching out trying to find me someone else but this petroleum marketing act is such a small niche of business law that he suggests I just go forward with this guy.

Realistically I dont think you can just kick a franchisee out compensation free in any business unless they're breaking laws or something bc many times people sell businesses without owning the land. I just think here, as the attorney told me, its happening alot bc they're trying to eliminate the middle man today.

Will say a good lawyer is worth every penny but make sure that the lawyer can do what you ask and need.

My experience with lawyers is good ones are honest and say you aren't a fit while bad ones are used car salesmen