Appellate lawyers can be your ticket to getting a second chance, as receiving an unfavorable outcome in court can be devastating.
Hiring an appellate lawyer is a significant financial commitment, and it can cost you anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000. With that said, unfortunately, there’s no average when to comes to such legal proceedings.
Four major factors will determine how much a litigant has to pay: complexity of the case and trial record, experience and reputation of the appellate lawyer, geographic location, and scope of work and court costs.
How Much Does a Litigant Really Need to Pay? Determining Factors
Four major factors will determine how much a litigant has to pay:
Complexity of the Case and Trial Record
This goes without saying, but the more intricate the legal issue, the higher the cost. The same goes for the trial record.
A simple case with one or two clear-cut legal questions will require less attorney time and resources than a multi-issue appeal involving a voluminous trial transcript and complex procedural arguments.
In simple terms, the more pages of testimony and exhibits an appellate lawyer needs to work with, the higher they’ll charge.
Experience and Reputation of the Appellate Lawyer
Much like any other field, the more experienced and reputable a professional is, the more they’ll charge for their services. Similarly, an appellate lawyer with a proven track record of success and extensive experience in appellate courts will charge you a higher hourly rate or flat fee.
With that said, at first, it may seem like you’re paying too much, but investing in a highly skilled attorney can sometimes be more cost-effective, thanks to their ability to identify compelling legal arguments, and their persuasive writing skills can be invaluable.
Geographic Location
Well, no two locations charge the same amount for exactly the same item, and the same goes for attorneys.
Legal fees can vary significantly based on the region and the local legal market.
For instance, an appeals lawyer operating in Chicago will generally have higher fees compared to a lawyer in a smaller town because you are not just paying for the service but also for the lawyer’s cost of living, demand for specialized legal services, and the competitive landscape of the legal profession within that particular area.
Scope of Work and Court Costs
Your appeal’s total cost isn’t just about your lawyer’s hours. It also includes various court fees. These can cover everything from the initial charge to file your appeal, to the often-expensive process of gathering and preparing the official trial record (including transcribing every word spoken in court), and even fees if your case goes to an oral argument.
The more extensive the appellate brief needs to be, the more research, writing, and editing time it will consume.
Furthermore, if the appeal involves multiple rounds of briefing, these additional steps will add to the overall expense.
What Types of Payments Do Appellate Attorneys Accept?
In present times, appellate attorneys accept a lot of different payment options, with credit and debit cards being the standard payment options.
With that said, be wary of attorneys who only accept cash payments. We recommend choosing a reputed appellate practice lawyer.
How Can I Afford My Appeal?
Given the hefty cost for the entire appeal process, we understand you are concerned. Luckily, many firms provide flexible payment solutions, including:
- Installment Plans: Most appellate lawyers allow you to pay the legal fees over a set period rather than in one lump sum.
- Third-Party Financing: Increasingly, law firms partner with third-party lenders who specialize in legal financing. These options function much like a personal loan, allowing you to borrow the necessary funds for your appeal and repay the lender according to agreed-upon terms.
- Personal Loans or Lines of Credit: lastly, if either of the options mentioned above isn’t working for you, securing a personal loan from a bank or credit union or utilizing an existing line of credit, might be a viable option.
Final Words
Hiring an appellate lawyer is a significant financial commitment; however, you must know that an appeal is not merely about reversing a decision; it’s about correcting a legal error and seeking justice, which comes at a price.