I. The
standard fee for an initial consultation shall be $350.00 for
up to 2 ½ hours of attorney time. This may include a
preliminary review of records if applicable as well as a personal
and/or telephone conference with the client. Additional time
in excess of 2 ½ hours will be billed at the rate of
$250.00 per hour. The purpose of this consultation is to identify
legal and factual issues and to preliminarily explore a reasonable
course of action.
II. Preliminary
or investigative stage. Occasionally, licensure and/or disciplinary
matters may be resolved without the necessity of a full evidentiary
hearing or even an appearance before the regulatory or professional
board. Representation in such instances often involves a review
of pertinent records, administrative or statutory requirements
and communication with the regulatory or licensure board short
of filing a Petition for a statutory administrative hearing.
Legal fees associated with this level of representation consist
of an initial retainer of not less than $1000.00 which retainer
is charged against hourly fees computed at $250.00 per hour.
In many instances the total fee for this engagement will not
exceed the retainer.
III. Administrative
Hearings. Representation shall include the preparation of all
petitions and associated pleadings and the preparation for and
participation in the administrative hearing through and including
final agency action. Representation may include appearances
before an Administrative Law Judge and/or the regulatory licensure
board. This engagement shall require an initial retainer the
amount of which will vary depending upon the complexity and
nature of the administrative proceeding which retainer shall
be charged against hourly fees billed at the rate of $250.00
per hour. If feasible, a general budget of projected fees will
be discussed with the client based upon the variables that are
unique to each case.
IV. Appeal and Rule Challenges. Representation
in appellate proceedings to Florida’s District Courts
of Appeal and/or Supreme Court shall be on the basis of a flat
fee, the amount of which will be based upon the nature and degree
of difficulty of each proceeding. Fees associated with rule
challenges will be based upon either a flat fee if the rule
challenge is essentially non evidentiary or a retainer chargeable
against regular hourly billings if a substantial factual record
has to be developed as part of the rule challenge.
V. In all
categories of representation the client shall be responsible
for advancing and/or reimbursing out of pocket costs that are
reasonable and necessary to the fulfillment of the engagement.
Such costs shall include the copying of licensure records, court
reporters fees, and expert witness fees if necessary. As a matter
of policy, this office will not retain any expert not incur
any single expense in excess of $500.00 without the client’s
prior approval.
VI. All engagements must be confirmed in a written
engagement letter signed by the client and this office. A clear
facsimile transmission of the engagement letter is acceptable.
