Question
How much percentage of a fee reduction is it reasonable to expect from a lawyer working independently compared to a law firm hourly rate (assuming the same level of experience and competence)? And is there any disadvantage to employing an independent lawyer (compared to someone working in a firm) if I am comfortable with his or her experience and ability?
Answers: 3 public & 0 private
Define "independent" and "law firm." There are very experienced, and expensive, independent attorneys, and ramshackle "law firms" with little experience who may yet take your case on the cheap. There is no fee reduction to be expected; no independent attorney will be discounting fees simply because he or she is a solo practitioner.
The general advantage of engaging a law firm is that you will have access to the firm's resources: multiple attorneys and support staff, of course for whom you will be paying. An "independent" attorney may not have some of those resources immediately available but, if nonetheless acting competently, will be able to acquire them if necessary. Furthermore, the nature of services being provided (e.g., transactional services) can obviate law firm overhead entirely for which you will be at least indirectly paying.
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