The Jian Ghomeshi saga

[Barrister]

Defence lawyers are pretty sensitive about mentioning what they charge, and it really isn't any of my business anyways.  So I don't quite know, other than to say "a lot".

Here in the US, price-gouging by attorneys is a serious ethics no-no, so it's pretty easy to determine the usual and customary rates.  Do your rules of professional conduct not have an analog to the usual and customary rates rule?

Never heard of such a thing.  It's a free market - charge what the market will bear.

[The Minsky Moment]

Partner rates could be a high as $1000/hour, with typical rates being in the 600-700 range, and associates rates around 300-400.

I guess.

[Admiral Yi]

Here in the US, price-gouging by attorneys is a serious ethics no-no, so it's pretty easy to determine the usual and customary rates.  Do your rules of professional conduct not have an analog to the usual and customary rates rule?

How does the concept of gouging apply to shysters?  A client always has alternatives.

[DontSayBanana]

How does the concept of gouging apply to shysters?  A client always has alternatives.

Sort of.  Shysters pretty much have to raise their rates as a group and not too fast- an attorney's fees are limited by statute to within an acceptable range of the "usual and customary rates."  Contingency fees are even stricter- they have strict percentages and dollar caps they can charge.  If they get busted going above those caps, they can be sanctioned or disbarred.

Scipio could probably explain this better than I could- I learned the theory, but never got a chance to put it into practice, while he has operated a solo practice, so he would have had to check his own billing.

[crazy canuck]

Defence lawyers are pretty sensitive about mentioning what they charge, and it really isn't any of my business anyways.  So I don't quite know, other than to say "a lot".

Here in the US, price-gouging by attorneys is a serious ethics no-no, so it's pretty easy to determine the usual and customary rates.  Do your rules of professional conduct not have an analog to the usual and customary rates rule?

Never heard of such a thing.  It's a free market - charge what the market will bear.

Probably because you have had limited experience in determining your fees. 

Here in BC we have a rule of professional ethics that A lawyer must not charge a fee unless, in part, it is fair and reasonable.  There are other ethical requirments as well but this is the one that addresses the point.  I am sure there is a similar rule in all Canadian jurisdictions.

[crazy canuck]

Contingency fees are even stricter- they have strict percentages and dollar caps they can charge.  If they get busted going above those caps, they can be sanctioned or disbarred.

In this jurisdiction if a lawyer exceeds the statutory cap for contingency agreements they risk getting nothing and being disciplined.

[The Brain]

What the market will bear is fair and reasonable.

[crazy canuck]

What the market will bear is fair and reasonable.

Thank you Ayn Rand

[The Brain]

What the market will bear is fair and reasonable.

Thank you Ayn Rand

*shrug* It is when I buy food, and I need food a lot more than I need a lawyer.

[crazy canuck]

What the market will bear is fair and reasonable.

Thank you Ayn Rand

*shrug* It is when I buy food, and I need food a lot more than I need a lawyer.

Exactly, it is because you buy food regularly that you have a good idea what is a good price.  Because you need the services of a lawyer infrequently you likely have no idea.  The idea of a "market rate" works good in theory if there is information available as to what the "market" is.  If you find a comprehensive source of what lawyers are charging their clients let me know.  It would be very helpful to me.

[The Brain]

What the market will bear is fair and reasonable.

Thank you Ayn Rand

*shrug* It is when I buy food, and I need food a lot more than I need a lawyer.

Exactly, it is because you buy food regularly that you have a good idea what is a good price.  Because you need the services of a lawyer infrequently you likely have no idea.  The idea of a "market rate" works good in theory if there is information available as to what the "market" is.  If you find a comprehensive source of what lawyers are charging their clients let me know.  It would be very helpful to me.

What are you talking about? You lost me.

[crazy canuck]

What the market will bear is fair and reasonable.

Thank you Ayn Rand

*shrug* It is when I buy food, and I need food a lot more than I need a lawyer.

Exactly, it is because you buy food regularly that you have a good idea what is a good price.  Because you need the services of a lawyer infrequently you likely have no idea.  The idea of a "market rate" works good in theory if there is information available as to what the "market" is.  If you find a comprehensive source of what lawyers are charging their clients let me know.  It would be very helpful to me.

What are you talking about? You lost me.

Thats why we need to be regulated - some of our clients aren't all that sophisticated

[The Brain]

What the market will bear is fair and reasonable.

Thank you Ayn Rand

*shrug* It is when I buy food, and I need food a lot more than I need a lawyer.

Exactly, it is because you buy food regularly that you have a good idea what is a good price.  Because you need the services of a lawyer infrequently you likely have no idea.  The idea of a "market rate" works good in theory if there is information available as to what the "market" is.  If you find a comprehensive source of what lawyers are charging their clients let me know.  It would be very helpful to me.

What are you talking about? You lost me.

Thats why we need to be regulated - some of our clients aren't all that sophisticated

lol stupid retards.

[Josephus]

Lawsuit dropped.

Ok, lawyers, dissect

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/11/25/ghomeshi_drops_55m_cbc_lawsuit.html

[Barrister]

Lawsuit dropped.

Ok, lawyers, dissect

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/11/25/ghomeshi_drops_55m_cbc_lawsuit.html

Not only is the suit dropped, but Ghomeshi is paying the CBCs legal fees.  It's an admission the suit was meritless.