Fee Structure
| SERVICE | CORPORATE ENTITIES | INDIVIDUALS |
| Advice & Counsel | $325 per hour | $325 per hour |
| Litigation | $400 per hour | $325 an hour OR* contingency (35-40%) |
Clients are responsible for filing fees, court costs, and litigation expenses. An initial consultation for potential contingency matters is $325; if you retain my services on an hourly basis, this fee will be applied as a credit toward your first invoice. A retainer is required for hourly litigation matters.
My fee structures are based on the factors in Rule 1.5 of the Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct, including the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the legal issues, the skill required, the preclusion of other employment, the customary fee for similar services, the amount involved and results obtained, time limitations, the nature and length of the professional relationship, the experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer, and whether the fee is fixed or contingent. While individual engagement agreements establish the specific scope of services and fee terms for each matter, my fees remain consistent with the framework outlined above.
*For contingency representations, I base my fee on a tiered percentage rate: 35% for matters resolved before a complaint is filed, 40% for matters resolved after a complaint is filed. My contingency fee is calculated from the gross settlement amount or judgment before expenses are deducted. I do NOT request retainers from clients EXCEPT if the engagement is an hourly litigation representation.
Every contingency fee engagement agreement complies with Rule 1.5(c) and includes:
- Written agreement signed by the client
- Percentage stated for each stage (pre-complaint and post-complaint)
- Specification that expenses are deducted after the fee is calculated
- Statement that client owes expenses regardless of case outcome
- Written closing statement showing breakdown of recovery, expenses, fee, and net payment
In each client engagement, I reserve the right to earned fees and costs upon termination, regardless of whether by client or attorney. If you are considering my legal services, you may email any questions to srp@polauflaw.com.