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| Gruskin & LaBerge, P.A. Attorneys at Law 2719 1st Avenue N., St. Petersburg, FL 33713 Telephone: (727) 321-1918 Fax: (727) 321-2839 |
| Consumer Fees Contingency Fees. I understand that sometimes after a consumer has been taken advantage of by a company the consumer isn't in a position to incur attorney's fees to enforce his or her rights. That is why I offer to take consumer cases on a contingency basis when there is a statute or other way of requiring the wrongdoer to pay your fees if you win or settle your case. That means you do not have to pay me up front. I only get paid if you win or you agree to a settlement. However, even in contingency cases I usually require you to pay for necessary expenses, if any are required, such as the filing fees, service of summonses, court reporter fees and other court costs. This is partly because I like to make sure my clients have a stake in their case. Flat Fees Some consumer cases that I cannot take on a contingency fee agreement I can take on a flat fee basis. The advantage to you in a flat fee situation is that you know what your total attorney's fees will be at the time you hire me. If I charge my standard hourly rate of $300 per hour it is difficult to estimate the total fee will be by the time the case is over. But, with a flat fee you know what your total fee will be and don't have to be concerned about the "meter running" when you speak with me or I am working on your case. An example of the type of cases I take on a flat fee basis is when you are being sued for debt collection. My flat fee in the typical basic defense of a debt collection lawsuit is $2,000, plus court costs. Court costs will usually be less than $500. My services for basic defense include, answer the complaint, written discovery requests to creditor, review and analyze discovery responses, respond to creditor's written discovery requests, respond to creditor's Summary Judgment motion (brief and hearing), client calls and emails, manage all communications with creditor. My typical flat fee for more aggressive representation in defending collection cases is $3,500, plus court costs. My services would include all of those in the basic defense case, plus deposition of creditor's representative, discovery motion or 2nd creditor deposition, and attend mediation. Typical court costs for aggressive representation are approximately $1,500. Some consumers prefer and find an unbundled or "a la carte" fee agreement more suitable or affordable. Under this arrangement you can save money on fees by hiring me to do some of the work, while doing some of the work yourself. We work together to identify what is most cost effective within your budget. Typical unbundled fees are shown below: Answer complaint; written discovery $600 requests to creditor; analyze creditor's responses Respond to creditor's written $500 discovery requests Summary Judgment Starting at $1,500 (brief and hearing) Negotiation $600 Deposition Starting at $1,000 Mediation Starting at $1,000 Letter Starting at $200 30 minute consult $225 Discovery motion Starting at $1,000 Pre-trial submissions and $300 per hour hearings and trial |
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