MSPB and EEOC Fee Changes for 2009

The purpose of this post is to update you on our fee changes for 2009. Because our fees change periodically, you may find old posts with different fees. Keep in mind that the Firm now sets its fee on January 1^st of each year. If you would like to know our current fees and rates, please contact us for a telephone consultation at info@attiglawfirm.com

1) Our hourly rate for hourly cases has increased, effective January 1, 2009.  If you are on an hourly/traditional retainer, please contact the Firm to find out the new hourly rate.

2) Beginning January 1, 2009, 0ur Telephone Consultation Rate has increased to $150.00 for a 45 minute telephone consultation. The consultation fee referenced herein may not apply to all cases, and in some cases, your consultation fee may be higher or lower.  For example, the Firm waives the fee for members of certain chapters of the NTEU, and for members of certain chapters of the AFGE – but you have to tell us you are members of those organizations and which chapter so that we can verify that we are able to waive the fee for you.  For certain types of MSPB and/or EEOC cases, more discussion and research will be required by attorneys at the Firm prior to or after you initial consultation, and as such the rate mentioned above may be higher than that amount.  Please be sure to inquire what your consultation fee is prior to the consultation.

3) For FERS/CSRS Disability Retirement applicants and appellants, in January 2009, no consultation fee will be charged if you request a consult through the Firm’s new website: www.FERSDisabilityRetirement.com.

4) In our efforts to make sure that quality legal representation is available for Federal Employees and Postal workers, we are now offering new fee structures and Payment plans in MSPB and EEOC cases.The new plans include:

TRADITIONAL HOURLY/RETAINERS – While the Firm strives to offer progressive pricing plans for legal representation, some folks prefer (and some cases require) a retainer and hourly rate. Under this approach, you deposit a sum in the Firm’s IOLTA Trust Account; as we incur costs or time on your case, we withdraw amounts from that trust.  If the matter is concluded before the retainer amount in trust is depleted, we refund the unused monies to you.  If the retainer is depleted before the matter concludes, the client will replenish the amount held in trust.

TRUE RETAINERS – More and more attorneys are charging engagement retainers. This type of retainer, also called a True Retainer, is a payment to a firm or attorney which enables them to make time available to represent you (and not some other client).  A True Retainer is not the payment of an attorney fee, but a payment (typically to the attorney’s firm), that allows the Firm to set aside the attorney’s time to be available to represent you.  In most, if not all, situations the True Retainer is non-refundable.   The True Retainer is typically used when the Parties anticipate that the attorney will receive additional attorney fees at some future time.   There are certain types of cases where a True Retainer is truly advantageous – be sure to ask your attorney in a consultation about this Fee Structure.

FIXED FEE PLANS – For a fixed sum, the Firm can offer representation throughout the course of your administrative matter against your employing Agency. Under this plan, the Firm will advance all costs associated with your case or appeal before the MSPB or EEOC.

MONTHLY PAYMENT PLANS – This plan is like the Fixed Fee, but instead of paying one sum at the outset, you pay us a much smaller amount for each month that we are representing you in the EEOC or MSPB. Under this plan, the Attig Law Firm will advance a set amount of costs each month; you are responsible for the remainder. This type of payment plan will help those on a fixed income, or those Federal employees or Postal Workers that expect their case to last for an extended period of time.

No post on this website is legal advice, is meant to be legal advice, and certainly does not serve as a substitute for legal advice. Information is power, and we are providing this information to give you, the federal employee, with some power. This information is not widely or easily accessible to Federal Employees.

It is best to consult with a lawyer familiar with Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeals to discuss the facts and law of your particular case. If you are a Federal employee and have questions about disability retirement under FERS or CSRS, your MSPB appeal or your EEOC complaint, contact the Attig Law Firm, PLLC, to schedule a telephone consultation.