Top Lawyers — toplawyers.io

# Hourly Rate and Flat Fee Worksheet

## Part 1: Annual numbers
A. Take-home income you want: $______
B. Estimated taxes and benefits (retirement, health insurance): $______
C. Firm overhead (rent, software, insurance, bar dues, marketing): $______
D. Profit or cushion for the firm (suggest 10 percent of A+B+C): $______

**Total revenue needed (A+B+C+D): $______**

## Part 2: Billable hours
- Weeks worked per year (subtract vacation and holidays): ______
- Hours worked per week: ______
- Percent of time that is billable (many solo lawyers land near 30-50 percent): ______
- **Billable hours = weeks x hours x percent: ______**

## Part 3: Minimum hourly rate
**Total revenue needed / billable hours = $______ per hour**
This is your floor, not your target. Collection rates under 100 percent mean you should round up.

## Part 4: Flat fee builder
1. List every step in the matter (intake, drafting, filings, calls, review).
2. Estimate hours for each step, then add 20 percent for surprises.
3. Multiply total hours by your hourly rate.
4. Add hard costs such as filing fees.
5. Compare with your market and adjust for value delivered.

| Step | Estimated hours |
|---|---|
| | |

## Part 5: Sanity check
- Would I be happy to do this matter at this price?
- Have I tested this with a peer or coach?
- Does my fee agreement comply with my state's rules?