The first major benefit that I have noticed as a practicing attorney is the difference in relationships that I have with my clients. They aren't afraid to come and ask questions, and I am not worried about giving them answers. As I have been attending continuing legal education courses, all I come away with is "Make sure they sign a retainer agreement and give you a retainer before you do anything!" While yes, that is true, in a flat rate fee system, that is much more expected and more normal.

No longer is the client unaware of what they are being charged, and more likely than not, they plan on paying for the services they receive. Do I collect payment upfront? Usually, and I have no issue with that, but then, neither do my clients. Sometimes, if it is a larger contract, I do step payments, and occasionally I do half up front payments, it depends. The major issue is everyone is completely aware of what they are getting into.

I notice the difference mostly in smaller businesses. Small business owners, who normally despise lawyers, all of the sudden have working relationships with their attorney (me), as do larger corporations who are happy to finally be able to budget legal expenses.

Flat rate billing also is able to help clients put into perspective how much legal advice is worth to them on a per transaction basis. On a $500 contract, it probably isn't worth to get legal counsel on the transaction unless you have worked out a monthly general counsel agreement with them. But on a $10,000 contract, it may be of value to spend $1000 or more to make sure they get it right. And on a $100,000 or $500,000 contract, the extra $8000 in legal fees is going to make sure the contract runs extremely smooth.

In the end, flat rate has been a win win. Clients are happy because they can assess, evaluate, and make good business decisions, and I, as an attorney, enjoy working with them, and feel my clients are able to get good value for their dollar.