I am also shy when it comes to my fee, fear of the client rejecting it, is it too high, is it too low. I guess you can call me goldilocks. But I finally sucked it up, and told a prospect, this is my fee, this is how much I charge. No rejection! It works, it really does.

The reverse is also true, if it is someone you don't want to work with (not just clients) leaving it open always leads to them leaving. They get a follow up by me that I'm not representing them

I am also shy when it comes to my fee, fear of the client rejecting it, is it too high, is it too low. I guess you can call me goldilocks. But I finally sucked it up, and told a prospect, this is my fee, this is how much I charge. No rejection! It works, it really does.

The reverse is also true, if it is someone you don’t want to work with (not just clients) leaving it open always leads to them leaving. They get a follow up by me that I’m not representing them

Interesting article.

Question: When do you tell your client about your fee/retainer?

Thanks,

Morgan

Interesting article.

Question: When do you tell your client about your fee/retainer?

Thanks,

Morgan

I also do the following: I tell the client that the rules governing lawyers in New York require a retainer (contract) for every matter for which the fee exceeds $3,000 and it is recommended that a retainer be provided in every case regardless of the fee amount. I state that my firm strictly adheres to those rules. I explain how important a contract is when hiring a lawyer and why. I explain I can’t help them without a binding contract and a deposit because that contract imposes substantial responsibility upon my firm. My duties are to provide the services in the contract; their duties include full payment and cooperation. Many clients appreciate this information and say they never really understood the contractual nature of the relationship. I find that this information permits me to turn down someone in need of help for objective reasons that go beyond the mere inability to pay (which is probably a bankruptcy lawyer’s biggest deal-breaker!)

This also serves to remind myself not to move forward without the retainer and deposit!

I also do the following: I tell the client that the rules governing lawyers in New York require a retainer (contract) for every matter for which the fee exceeds $3,000 and it is recommended that a retainer be provided in every case regardless of the fee amount. I state that my firm strictly adheres to those rules. I explain how important a contract is when hiring a lawyer and why. I explain I can't help them without a binding contract and a deposit because that contract imposes substantial responsibility upon my firm. My duties are to provide the services in the contract; their duties include full payment and cooperation. Many clients appreciate this information and say they never really understood the contractual nature of the relationship. I find that this information permits me to turn down someone in need of help for objective reasons that go beyond the mere inability to pay (which is probably a bankruptcy lawyer's biggest deal-breaker!)

This also serves to remind myself not to move forward without the retainer and deposit!