Business Law costs, by state and province

Typical costs for business law per hour. Hourly rate varies by lawyer experience and location. Open a market below for a local estimate.

Business lawyer fees range from $150 to $800 per hour depending on location, firm size, and specialization. Many firms offer flat fees for common services such as LLC formation ($500–$2,000) or contract review ($500–$2,500). Retainers for ongoing counsel typically start at $2,000–$5,000 per month for small businesses.

Hourly Rates and Experience Levels

Associates at small firms bill $150–$350 per hour, while partners in midsize firms charge $350–$600 per hour. Large city attorneys in New York or San Francisco can exceed $800 per hour. Rates in Canada are roughly equivalent in CAD for similar markets.

Flat Fees for Common Tasks

A simple LLC or corporation formation costs $500–$1,500 in legal fees plus state filing costs. Trademark registration starts at $1,000–$3,000. A standard employment contract or partnership agreement runs $1,000–$3,000. Complex mergers or acquisitions are always hourly or hybrid.

Retainers and Ongoing Counsel

An ongoing retainer for basic business legal advice usually starts at $2,000 per month for 10–15 hours of work. Some firms offer subscription plans for $500–$1,500 per month covering document review and phone consultations. Hourly billing then applies for court appearances or major transactions.

Typical Business Law prices
ItemTypical range
Hourly rate (small firm)$150 – $400
Flat fee – LLC formation$500 – $2,000
Monthly retainer (basic counsel)$2,000 – $5,000
Contract review flat fee$500 – $2,500

Every market for business law costs

383 markets have a page, each with a typical range where we have one and plain guidance on what moves the price.

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