115 South Victory Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
How Fees are Determined:
Billing Arrangements:
Hourly Rate – The Overton Firm usually handles matters on an hourly basis (charging for the time we spend at a stated rate per hour) and expect full monthly payment of fees and expenses. Hourly attorney’s fees can be expensive, and you may wish to look for another attorney to handle your matter on a contingency basis if you think you would be unable to pay as fees are incurred. With this in mind we try to keep our rates affordable for small businesses and individuals. We will attempt to provide you with a general estimate of what we think the total fees will come to in your case (if possible) when beginning an issue; however, if you must keep in mind the simple truth that one cannot plan for or estimate the amount of time that may be expended in dealing with an irrational opponent.
Retainer – The Overton Firm charges what is called a minimum retainer – an upfront advance payment: a minimum fee to accept the case. Usually this retainer involves a portion which is refundable and a portion which is non-refundable; generally this is a 3/4 non-refundable and 1/4 refundable portion. What that means is that if The Overton Firm is successful in getting the case dismissed / settled early and before the attorney has spent all of the hours originally anticipated in calculating the retainer, you receive a refund for the remainder of the refundable retainer that remained unearned. However, if the matter goes beyond the initial retainer there is no refundable portion.
Billing Rate – Mr. Overton’s standard billing rate is $250/hour and contract or associate billing rate is between $150-$200 per hour depending on the matter. The Overton Firm also has several contract law clerks who may at times work on your case. Law clerk time is billed at the rate of $65/hour. While several people in this office may work on your case, The Overton Firm assures you that it will not result in our billing for duplicate work.
Flat Fee – The Overton Firm can also utilize a flat fee for certain types of matters (real estate contracts or construction contracts; LLC/Partnership Agreements and other corporate documents; preparing and filing lien notices & preparing/filing the Statement of Affidavit and Account for Lien Filings).
Contingency Fee – The Overton Firm uses contingency fees for certain types of matters (i.e., substantial construction collections, mechanics liens, etc.) The Overton Firm may agree to represent you from the beginning until the end of the case on a contingency fee basis at which point you would only be responsible for payment of the actual costs and expenses incurred to prosecute the case (court costs, filing fees, postage, etc.)
Out-of-Pocket Expenses:
You (the client) will always be responsible for any and all out-of-pocket expenses and charges including but not limited to: (1) any investigator(s), (2) outside paralegal, (3) expert witness, (4) travel expense, (5) copying done outside of the office, (6) filing fees, (7) court costs, (8) witness fees, & (9) all other expenses that may be incurred.
Unlike some law firms, we try not to bill for things that are used in the normal course of business, such as long distance calls, general office supplies, faxes, making in office copies, mailing first class mail, etc.