don’t charge $1000 an hour, because, ultimately the fee charged must be “reasonable.“
Now, as a boy who grew up lower middle class, the idea that an hour of my time is worth $500 or more as part of these calculations is something that I still struggle with. But my rates are in line with my peers, what the system considers to be a reasonable rate, and consistent with my experience and education.
But at $1000 an hour, most judges will call BS. Again, I didn’t make the system, I’m just surviving in it
Since you work on contingency, the $500/hr is also compensating you for the risk that it will turn out to be $0/hr, right? Or do you pretty reliably get to a settlement that involves your full fee being paid?
