FEE
POLICY
A. As follows, the DRC charges fees for full representation based upon ability to pay:
Annual Gross Income |
Hourly Rate | Maximum Fee | Initial Fee |
| $0 - $26,950 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| $26,951 - 45,650 | $40.00 | 10% of gross annual income | $1000.00 |
| $45,651 - 64,350 | $60.00 | 12% of gross annual income | $2,000.00 |
| $64,351 - 74,550 | $85.00 | 15% of gross annual income | $3,000.00 |
| $74,551 & over | $110.00 | 20% of gross annual income | $4,000.00 |
B. Fees will not be charged for time spent in the initial interview or to investigate whether you have a legal claim warranting representation. Also, fees will not be charged if your case can be resolved to your satisfaction with a minimal amount of work (1 to 2 hours).
C. The above income figures are for a single person. For families, subtract $9,000 from your family's gross income for each member over 1. For example, a family of three with gross income of $44,000 or less would not have to pay a fee because the family's income for fee purposes would be $26,000 ($44,000 less $18,000=$26,000).
D. The DRC also considers extraordinary circumstances in setting the fee. Please discuss any factor that you believe ought to be considered with the Legal Director. In addition, out-of-pocket medical and other expenses related to the client's disability over $2,000 annually would be deducted from gross income. For example, for a person with $3,000 of annual medical expenses, the DRC would subtract $1,000 from gross income. Thus, in this example, a single person with gross income of $27,500 and $3,000 of medical expenses, would be considered by the DRC to have income of $26,500 ($27,500 less $1,000) and would not have to pay a fee.
E. In most cases, the DRC requests an initial payment when you agree to hire a DRC attorney for your case. This payment will be applied toward the total fee. Any amount not used will be returned to you. If you cannot make an initial payment, please discuss this with the staff Attorney. We will work with you to make arrange¬ments that meet your financial needs.
F. In some cases, the law requires a public agency to pay some or all of your attorney's fees if you win your case. If attorney's fees are recovered, the DRC will use those fees to reduce or meet your obligation under the fee agreement. Money you have paid which is covered by this fee award will be returned to you.
G. In cases involving a monetary damage award or where the public agency may pay some or all of your attorney's fees if you win your case, the DRC may handle the case on a contingent fee basis. Whether DRC will handle the case on contingent fee basis will depend on the likelihood of recovering fees and the nature of the action.
Revised 11-2006