Quick Comparison
Monthly Retainer
Ongoing legal support
Predictable monthly budget
Priority access to attorney
Often includes unlimited questions
Best for ongoing needs
Typical Cost
$1,500-$10,500/month
Flat Fee Services
One-time project pricing
Know exact cost upfront
No monthly commitment
Defined scope and deliverables
Best for specific projects
Typical Cost
$750-$6,500/project
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Service Type | Retainer (Monthly) | Flat Fee (Per Project) |
|---|---|---|
| Contract Review (3-5/month) | Included in retainer | $1,500 each |
| Legal Questions (unlimited) | Included | $500/hour |
| Email/Phone Consultations | Unlimited (within hours) | Billed hourly |
| Business Formation | Discounted or included | $3,000-$3,500 |
| Employment Agreements | Included | Starts at $2,000 |
| Compliance Monitoring | Included | Not typically offered |
| Typical Monthly Value | $4,000-$10,500 | Varies by usage |
When to Choose Each Option
📋Choose a Retainer When You:
- Review 3+ contracts per month regularly
- Have frequent legal questions or need ongoing advice
- Want predictable monthly legal expenses
- Need compliance monitoring and risk management
- Are rapidly growing and hiring regularly
- Value having a lawyer who deeply knows your business
âš¡Choose Flat Fee When You:
- Have a specific one-time project (formation, trademark, etc.)
- Rarely need legal services (1-2 times per year)
- Want to know exact costs before committing
- Don't want ongoing monthly commitments
- Have clearly defined scope for your legal need
- Are just starting out with minimal legal needs
What's Included in Our Retainers
Savvy Essentials
$1,500/mo
- • 5 hours monthly legal support
- • Unlimited email questions
- • 1-2 contract reviews
- • Priority response times
Fractional CLO Strategic
$4,000/mo
- • 10 hours monthly support
- • Strategic legal planning
- • Corporate governance
- • Complex transactions
- • Overage at $425/hr
Fractional CLO Executive
$7,500/mo
- • 20 hours monthly support
- • Dedicated counsel
- • M&A support
- • External counsel management
- • Overage at $400/hr
All retainers include rollover of up to 5 unused hours per month
Popular Flat Fee Services
Business Formation
$3,000-$3,500
Complete LLC or Corp formation with operating agreements, bylaws, and initial filings
Contract Drafting
Starts at $2,000
Custom contracts for services, employment, vendors, or partnerships
Trademark Application
$1,250-$2,000
Comprehensive trademark search and USPTO filing (plus government fees)
Terms of Service/Privacy Policy
$2,000
Custom ToS and Privacy Policy for websites, apps, or SaaS platforms
Frequently Asked Questions
Not Sure Which Option is Right?
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal needs. We'll help you determine whether a retainer, flat fee services, or hybrid approach works best for your business.
Schedule Free Consultation