Legal Fee Tool

A fee estimate that is a single number invites the question "why". An estimate broken down by who does the work answers it in advance, and shows the firm whether the matter is being staffed the way it was priced.

This tool assembles fees by timekeeper level, keeps expenses separate, states the allowance for undefined scope explicitly, and reports the blended rate the client will actually experience.

Result

Total estimate

$28,680

Blended rate

$309.33

Professional fees: $23,200
Partner fees: $6,000
Associate fees: $13,200
Paralegal fees: $4,000
Contingency allowance: $3,480
Expenses: $2,000
Total hours: 75
Partner share: 25.86%

This tool performs arithmetic on the values you enter. It does not provide legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

The blended rate is the single number clients remember. Shifting work to the right timekeeper level moves it more than any rate change.

A contingency allowance covers scope that is likely but not yet defined. State it separately in the estimate so the client can see what it is for.

Fee estimate by timekeeper

Level	Hours	Rate	Fees
Partner	10	$600	$6,000
Associate	40	$330	$13,200
Paralegal	25	$160	$4,000

How to use the legal fee tool

Enter hours and rate for each timekeeper level.
Add expenses separately from fees.
Set a contingency allowance sized to how well the scope is defined.
Read the total and the blended rate.

What people use this for

Preparing an estimate for an engagement letter.
Showing how a staffing decision affects the price.
Comparing an hourly estimate against a fixed fee.
Sanity-checking a budget before agreeing to it.

Worked examples

Every figure below is produced by running this calculator against the example inputs, so the numbers always match the tool.

A standard matter

10 partner hours at $600, 40 associate hours at $330, 25 paralegal hours at $160, $2,000 expenses, 15% allowance.

Total estimate: $28,680
Blended rate: $309.33
Contingency allowance: $3,480

Leaner staffing

Partner hours halved and the work moved down a level.

Total estimate: $25,173
Blended rate: $268.67
Partner share: 14.89%

Staffing is the pricing lever

The blended rate is the figure clients compare between firms, and it is determined by who does the work rather than by the rate card. Moving hours down a level changes it more than any rate negotiation would.

Estimating by level makes that visible before the work starts, rather than after it appears on an invoice as a surprise.

State the allowance rather than padding the hours

Every matter has scope that is likely but not yet defined. Absorbing it by quietly inflating hours makes the estimate look expensive and leaves nothing specific to point to when the scope moves.

A stated allowance signals the estimate was thought about, gives the client something concrete to question, and gives you a defined thing to draw on later.

Methodology and assumptions

What this calculator does, and what it deliberately does not do.

Professional fees are the sum of hours × rate at each level. The allowance applies to fees only.
Tax applies to fees, allowance and expenses combined; which components are taxable differs by jurisdiction.
The blended rate divides professional fees by total hours.
The tool performs arithmetic or date counting on the values you enter. It does not interpret a rule, a statute or a contract.
Nothing you type is transmitted or stored - the calculation runs entirely inside your browser.

This website provides general informational and productivity tools and does not provide legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.

The date and deadline tools count days exactly as you instruct them. They do not interpret court rules, statutes of limitation, filing requirements or any other legal authority, and they do not know the rules of your jurisdiction.

Always verify any date, fee, or calculation against the governing rule, the court calendar and your own professional judgement. If you need legal advice, consult a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.

Frequently asked questions

Should clients see the breakdown?

Usually yes. It explains the price and makes any staffing change discussable rather than a surprise.

How large should the allowance be?

Proportional to how well defined the scope is. Repeatable work needs little; contested work with an unpredictable opponent needs considerably more.

Is an estimate binding?

Generally not, though some jurisdictions require notice before an estimate is exceeded. State the position in the engagement letter.

Is this legal advice?

No. It performs arithmetic on figures you enter and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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