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Alternative Fee Arrangements - THE Archer Norris Alternative

Increased certainty in legal expenditures. A closer alignment between value, legal services and case results. This is what clients have always sought and we continually innovate ways to meet these expectations. We appreciate our clients’ budgetary concerns and are proactively devising alternatives to hourly-rate billing for clients wanting these choices.

Focused on Alternatives

In our active pursuit of practical alternatives to traditional billing, Archer Norris welcomes the opportunity to work with you.

There are several factors that influence fee structures. Compensation should be commensurate with the results we achieve for our clients. It should also reflect the work and risk undertaken by the Firm. As this area of lawyer-client relations evolves, success will require flexibility and a willingness to try new things on the part of both the client and the law firm.

Our goal is to develop The Archer Norris Alternative – adaptable and creative fee structures centered around the cost certainty and high-quality services that clients desire. The Archer Norris Alternative is driven by Firm lawyers, widely recognized for their can-do attitudes and hands-on approaches, who are:

• Innovative and responsive
• Enthusiastic about partnering with clients
• Efficient and cost effective

Focused on Value and Choice

In our exploration of appropriate and attractive value-driven structures, Archer Norris attorneys want to hear from clients about which alternative fee arrangements are most suitable to their needs. This might include a blended billing rate or a fixed fee for routine matters.

We currently offer a variety of mutually beneficial alternative fee arrangements. Here are some examples that work well for our clients:

• A flat rate for particular projects both in the context of litigation and transactions. For instance, when appropriate, Archer Norris has devised  fixed fee agreements for preparation of a Motion for Summary Judgment in litigation and fixed fee for various contract negotiations and due diligence assignments. Fixed fees are negotiated with the client on a case by case basis.
• A reduced fee, plus a multiple of the reduced fee payable as a success fee. This involves a fraction of the rate, plus a success fee calculated as a multiple of the rate upon achievement of an agreed-upon case result.
• A pure contingency fee, as well as a reduced fee plus a percentage of a recovery or cost avoidance, basis.
• A straight retainer basis.
• A guaranteed volume-based discount basis.

Focused on Reaching Client Goals 

We will work with you to develop alternative fee arrangements that meet your needs and goals. 

In our exploration of billing methods and approaches, we have found that the standard practice of billing by the hour - coupled with sensitivity to the importance of a particular case and a close relationship with the client -  can still provide the best representation at a reasonable cost. If you are comfortable with an hourly rate, Archer Norris can offer discounted rates predicated on an agreed-upon minimum volume of work.  

Focused on Meeting the Challenge of Excellence

At the foundation of all the fee structures we offer you is Archer Norris’ support of the ACC Value Challenge. This global professional initiative intends to better align law firm business models with “what clients want and need: value-driven, high quality legal services that deliver solutions for a reasonable cost and develop lawyers as counselors, advocates and professional partners.” .

Our approach to ongoing client satisfaction starts with conscientious project management and follows through with benchmarks of excellence and achievement until the matter’s favorable conclusion. Working productively and cost-consciously, Archer Norris attorneys make full use of high-efficiency business tools, techniques and practices in the areas of:  

• Budgeting and reporting
• Electronic billing and case management
• Staffing and legal outsourcing

Focused on Solutions

Intrigued? So are we. Archer Norris invites our clients to join us at the forefront of the changing legal landscape and welcomes hearing your perspective on the billable hour. Mutual understanding and respect always lead to the best results. Just as we seek creative solutions to our clients’ legal issues, Archer Norris’ alternative fees committee adopts a similarly open-minded approach when setting fees and tailoring rates to the matter at hand. We are very interested in partnering with our clients to explore solutions that work. Please let us know how we can help you manage the legal services you need.