The Transparent Pricing You Deserve
We know how frustrating it can be to research a service only to find out you need to hand over your contact information or get on the phone just to get a ballpark on the service costs. This is particularly true with law firms.
Since we’re not ones to be satisfied with the status quo, we’ve decided to be upfront about our pricing rather than require you to reach out to us to get any indication of our pricing information.
The following is a breakdown of common pricing models, why some firms are more expensive than others, our standard rates, and estimated costs for a handful of specific legal services.
How Legal Fees Are Determined
Pricing legal services isn’t one-size-fits-all. While it’s impossible to say, “This will cost X,” without knowing more details, we can give you an idea of the different ways fees are determined so you have a frame of reference for what to expect and provide estimated costs for different projects.
The 3 Primary Factors That Impact the Cost of Legal Services
The cost of a legal engagement varies depending on several factors. However, the three primary factors that influence cost include:
Each of these factors is at play within the following pricing models.
KSM Legal Pricing Models and How They Work
There are various ways to price legal services: hourly, fixed fee, monthly retainer, contingency, etc. The following is a short description of some of the most popular models.
Hourly Rate
This is the most common model. You’re billed based on the number of hours the lawyer works on your case multiplied by their hourly rate.
Most lawyers in most markets charge by the hour, especially for civil defense and business services. The bulk of our work is billed this way.
Fixed Fee
Some clients prefer the certainty of a fixed fee. Whether it’s drafting a contract or managing an entire legal portfolio, a fixed fee ensures you know exactly what you’ll pay from the outset. This model requires trust on both sides, as estimating the time a project will take can be challenging.
Retainer
Many of our long-term clients pay on a monthly retainer model. You pay a set monthly fee for ongoing access to legal advice.
This model is a good fit when both parties recognize that the value of service isn’t about the number of hours spent on a project but rather about having access to legal advice when they need it. This model provides peace of mind and ensures we’re available when legal issues arise without clients worrying about hourly costs.
Mixed-Fee Model
This model incorporates different elements of different models and comes in multiple varieties. It can combine a flat monthly or quarterly fee with a reduced hourly rate or retainer.
At the end of the day, our goal is to provide as much value as we can while being transparent about cost so you never have that nagging feeling that you don’t know what you’re paying for.
Contingency Fee
In a contingency fee arrangement, you only pay if we win or settle the case. Our fee is a percentage of the amount recovered. This model is typically used in cases where a client is the plaintiff in the action, and a significant monetary award is expected.
Because your attorney assumes most, if not all, of the risk in this model, the total fee could be significantly more than what the case would cost if the attorney didn’t assume any risk and simply billed hourly.
At the end of the day, our goal is to provide as much value as we can while being transparent about cost so you never have that nagging feeling that you don’t know what you’re paying for.
Why Some Firms Are More Expensive Than Others
As you can see, many variables impact the price of legal services. However, that doesn’t necessarily account for why the same service is far more expensive at one firm compared to another. Although time and hourly rates are a significant factor, another factor that impacts what you pay is the firm’s philosophy of work.
Some firms are notorious for what we call “over-lawyering.” In practice, this means assigning more staff to work on a project than necessary. If they bill using an hourly rate model, this drives up costs.
We’re not suggesting that all firms do this intentionally to bloat invoices. However, firms that don’t have practical experience in the business world don’t make decisions on how they serve clients based on the practical impact it has on their clients’ businesses. That’s not necessarily because ill intent but because they don’t think practically – they think academically and abstractly.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, very small firms may have lower hourly rates, but they might not have the experience to handle complex matters the right way. Beyond that, they may not have junior members or associates to delegate to. As a result, the senior attorney with the highest billable rate spends more time on the project, increasing costs.
At KSM, we fall into a sweet spot between those two extremes. We have a team of A players with real-world business experience and an understanding of the challenges organizations face. Our team is large enough to provide the robust support our clients need while maintaining a personalized, small firm feel.
Our blend of practical thinking and legal prowess delivers the most value to our clients at a fair price.
What Will It Cost?
We strive to be as transparent as possible about costs. Below are examples of estimated costs for some of the services we offer. Please note that these are just estimates—each case is unique and may fall outside these ranges depending on its specifics.
In 2025, our standard hourly rates range from $300-700/hour depending on the role and level of experience of the team members serving you.
Defending a Lawsuit
Single Plaintiff Employment Case
| SERVICE PHASE | ESTIMATED HOURS | ESTIMATED COST |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investigation & Answer | 20-30 hours | $9,000-$13,500 |
| Written Discovery | 40-60 hours | $18,000-$27,000 |
| Depositions | 50-60 hours | $22,500-$27,000 |
| Summary Judgment Motion | 40-50 hours | $18,000-$22,500 |
| Trial Preparation & Trial | 160-200 hours | $72,000-$90,000 |
| Total Estimate Through Trial | 280-400 hours | $126,000-$180,000 |
Business Services
The types of business services we offer vary, but here are some examples of common matters and an estimated range of our hours/fees in each case.
Each situation is different, and we can discuss a budget before any matter is taken on to ensure that your goals and budget align with the fees we would charge to help you achieve those goals.
Formation of a Company
This typically includes:
Estimated Hours: 2-4
Estimated Cost: $1,500-$2,500
(Inclusive of standard state filing fees)
Contract Review
Assumes one round of review and comments.
Estimated Hours: 2-3
Estimated Cost: $1,000-$1,500
Private Equity Investments
We routinely represent startups receiving investments as well as investors making investments. The cost of representation will depend on the complexity and nature of the investment.
Services range from unsecured promissory notes (3 hrs) to Series A/NVCA Round (10-30 hrs).
Estimated Hours: 3-30
Estimated Cost: $1,500-$15,000
Outside General Counsel / Monthly Retainer
Private Equity Investments
For certain, generally long-term, clients, the firm offers a subscription-based fee for routine services.
Under this arrangement, KSM serves as the client’s outside general counsel, providing legal advice and counsel regarding employment, transactional, and other commercial issues.
In legal terms, this charge is considered a non-refundable retainer, which guarantees our services for the upcoming month and, thus, is earned when invoiced.
While the monthly subscription is not intended to encompass all legal issues, routine employment issues, contract review and revision, and general advice are provided as part of this monthly subscription.
Starting at $2,500/month
For reference, following are the types of matters generally included and excluded:
Typical Services Included in a Monthly Retainer:
Excluded Services:
- Litigation
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Administrative proceedings
- Major projects
HR Support & Legal Counsel
Our firm offers a comprehensive suite of HR-related legal services at competitive rates. From internal investigations to policy development, our team can provide tailored solutions to meet your organization’s specific needs.
Key services include:
Ready to Talk About Your Legal Needs?
We believe in making legal services as transparent and predictable as possible. When you’re ready to discuss your case, we’ll be upfront about costs and work with you to stay within your budget.
Request a Consultation Today – Let’s explore the best legal path forward for you and your organization.
