Attorney Fees by Practice Area

Attorney costs vary widely by practice area, state, and case complexity. Below are national fee ranges based on Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and legal market surveys. Select a practice area for state-by-state breakdowns.

National median lawyer hourly rate: $71/hr (BLS OES 2024)

Divorce & Family Law

Divorce, child custody, alimony, adoption, and other family law matters

Typical range $36–$102/hr
National median $60/hr
Hourly billing standard; flat fees common for uncontested divorces

Criminal Defense

Misdemeanors, felonies, appeals, and post-conviction matters

Typical range $38–$109/hr
National median $64/hr
Flat fees common for misdemeanors; hourly for complex felonies

Personal Injury

Car accidents, slip-and-fall, medical malpractice, wrongful death

Contingency fee (30–40% of settlement)
Typically contingency fee — no upfront cost

Estate Planning

Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, and estate administration

Typical range $40–$114/hr
National median $67/hr
Flat fees standard for wills and basic trusts; hourly for complex estates

Real Estate

Closings, title disputes, landlord-tenant, zoning, and real estate transactions

Typical range $34–$97/hr
National median $57/hr
Flat fees common for closings; hourly for disputes

Business & Corporate Law

Business formation, contracts, M&A, compliance, and corporate governance

Typical range $51–$145/hr
National median $85/hr
Hourly billing standard; retainers common for ongoing counsel

Immigration Law

Visas, green cards, citizenship, asylum, deportation defense

Typical range $32–$90/hr
National median $53/hr
Flat fees standard for most visa and petition work

Employment Law

Wrongful termination, discrimination, wage disputes, non-compete agreements

Typical range $47–$133/hr
National median $78/hr
Contingency for employee-side claims; hourly for employer defense

Bankruptcy

Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Chapter 11, debt negotiation and discharge

Typical range $30–$85/hr
National median $50/hr
Flat fees standard for Chapter 7; hourly for Chapter 11

DUI Defense

DUI/DWI defense, license reinstatement, plea negotiations, trials

Typical range $34–$97/hr
National median $57/hr
Flat fees standard; covers arraignment through trial

How Attorney Fees Work

Hourly billing — Most common for complex or unpredictable matters. You pay for time spent, billed in 6- or 15-minute increments.
Flat fees — Common for routine matters (uncontested divorce, simple will, DUI). You know the total cost upfront.
Contingency fees — The attorney takes a percentage (typically 33%) of any settlement or judgment. No recovery = no fee. Standard in personal injury and some employment cases.
Retainers — An upfront deposit held in trust, drawn down as work is completed. Common for ongoing matters or when attorneys want financial security before starting.

What Drives Cost Variation

  • •Geography — NYC and San Francisco attorneys bill 2–3× more than rural attorneys
  • •Experience — Partners at large firms can bill $500–$1,000+/hr; associates bill $200–$400/hr
  • •Case complexity — Multi-party litigation, federal courts, and appeals cost substantially more
  • •Firm size — Solo practitioners and small firms typically charge 30–50% less than large firms
  • •Specialization — Niche specialists (tax law, IP, maritime) often bill at a premium
Unbundled services — Hire an attorney for specific tasks only (document review, one hearing) rather than full representation.
Legal aid — Income-qualified individuals may qualify for free or reduced-cost representation through local legal aid organizations.
Law school clinics — Many accredited law schools offer free legal services through supervised student clinics.
Mediation — For family and civil disputes, mediation can resolve matters at a fraction of litigation cost.
Disclaimer: Fee ranges are estimates based on BLS OES 2024 wage data (SOC 23-1011) and American Bar Association fee surveys. Actual fees vary significantly by attorney experience, case complexity, firm size, and local market conditions. This is not legal advice. PlainAttorney does not endorse or recommend any attorney.