Trends Report
At Hemmat Law, we believe that knowing how to access legal help to find justice shouldn’t be hard to find. We also believe that knowledge is power, and to help arm the public with the information they need, Hemmat Law (and our sister company Hemmat Interactive Inc) collaborated to undertake the largest-ever survey of Family Law Firms in the United States.
We secret-shopped 400 Washington Family Law firms. Here are our findings.
Only 20% of law firms provided free consultations, and consultation costs typically ranged from $100 to $500 The closer they are to a city, the more they cost.
75% of firms never answered our emails, and 90% of voicemails were never returned.
If you want an attorney, you need to call them.
Many law firms failed to provide clear details about pricing, appointments, or consultation processes, leading to frustration among potential clients.
Law firms with 11+ employees were rated higher in responsiveness, service quality, and overall client satisfaction compared to solo practitioners and small firms.
Law firms in more populous counties cost more to hire, consult with, and retain.
Things to Keep in Mind
Hourly Pricing is the Standard:
Only a fraction of firms offer flat-fee family law pricing. Those that do wildly vary in service scope. Be prepared to hire a firm hourly starting at $350 per hour. Often much more.
Most Firms Cannot Text:
Only 1-in-7 law firms can text with their clients. Most firms rely on email and phone calls to collaborate.
The Ugly:
Transparency is lacking across many firms, particularly regarding pricing, appointments, and case handling.
Recommendations:
The more communication channels a firm has, the better. You can call us 24/7, email us at any time, collaborate with us via app, or even text us on demand. Demand the same from your attorney.
Firms that actively followed up with potential clients had a higher likelihood of securing business.
Trust your gut. If you don’t vibe with the attorney you consult with, keep looking. Hiring the wrong attorney is usually worse than hiring the right one more slowly.
Do you have other questions about common pitfalls of the legal industry?
