My Fee Structure

There are two types of costs in legal work. One is disbursements, which are expenses that must be incurred in order to process the case. These costs are fixed and will be the same regardless of the lawyer or firm that you choose. Disbursements can include photocopying and courier services, though less so in post-pandemic times where much can be done electronically.

The major disbursement in appeals is the transcript. This is a word-for-word reproduction of everything that took place in the trial court, from witness testimony to the lawyers’ submissions and court rulings. Transcripts are mandatory for appeals, and costly if the trial was lengthy. Court reporters charge a set fee per page of transcript which generally works out to $500-$600 for each full day of court proceeding. 

The second category of costs are legal fees. This is what the lawyer charges for their work. As a rule of thumb, the more experienced the lawyer, the higher their hourly rate. In appeal work, block fees, or flat rates, are common since the amount of time required to prepare a case is often quite predictable based on a number of variables, such as the length of the trial and the number and complexity of legal issues at play on appeal.

My fees are highly competitive for a lawyer with over two decades of experience. This is because I do not maintain a formal office in an expensive downtown area, nor do I employ a team of law clerks and secretaries, all of which add to a lawyer’s operating expenses which must then be recovered through fees charged to clients. Because I work exclusively in appeals, my practice can be highly streamlined and, therefore, cost-effective for my clients.

After an initial consultation, I would be able to provide an estimate of your appeal costs. In most cases this would be a flat fee. The estimate may need to be revised after I have had a chance to review the critical court documents such as the trial court’s Reasons for Judgment, evidentiary rulings or instructions to the jury. If you decide to proceed, costs will be clearly set out in writing. 

Yes. I am happy to arrange a payment plan that accommodates both your personal circumstances and the requirements of the case.

Yes, I accept legal aid certificates for appeals.