Legal fees vary tremendously across state, survey finds

A new survey in Michigan finds how the cost of a lawyer varies significantly from county to county. It also depends on practice speciality.

News Story (Michigan)

Eric Freedman
Grand Rapids Business Journal
October 10, 2014
Link to story

Tags: Funding: State & Local, Research/Data

Organizations mentioned/involved: Legal Aid of Western Michigan


DETAILS

The State Bar survey shows that, in general, clients pay more in urban than rural areas, pay more for more experienced than less experienced lawyers, pay more for large firms than small ones, and pay more for experts in some specialties compared to others.

There can be significant differences in what lawyers charge in neighboring counties, the survey found. For example, the average is $179 in Mason County — the Ludington area — but $209 in adjoining Manistee County.

Of course, location is only one factor. Another major determinant is a lawyer’s specialty.