How Do We Calculate Our Fees?

Hourly Rates

We keep a record of the time spent by all lawyers, articling students, and law clerks working on your file. This time is billed at the hourly rates in effect at the time we render your account.

If you request it, your lawyer will give you the detailed hourly rates in effect for all of the lawyers, students, and law clerks likely to be working on your file. In addition, when the account is rendered, we'll provide full details of the time spent by each lawyer, student, clerk, or other timekeeper in the office.

When we log the time we spend working on your behalf, we record all the work we do, including conferences with you and others, conferences among the individuals in our office working on your file, telephone calls, correspondence, e-mail, and any necessary travel time.

We'll spend all the time necessary to properly advance your file-but you can still advise us not to work beyond a given fee before reviewing our progress with you, as well as the value of any additional work we think is required.

Fixed Fees

Sometimes, particularly for more routine work, we can accurately estimate how much time will be involved in a matter. In this case, we may be able to quote you a fixed fee.

Our approach usually applies to situations like residential real estate transactions, routine wills, incorporations, and uncontested divorces.

Please feel free to discuss this possibility with your lawyer.

Other Important Factors

In determining your fees, we also consider the following factors:

• Complexity and significance of the matter
• Level of professional skill and experience required
• Results achieved