Fee and Rate Information
We believe in transparent and predictable pricing for our legal services. Our fee structure is designed to provide you with clarity and confidence, ensuring you know what to expect from the start.
Flat Fees for Common Services
For many of our most requested services, we offer a flat-fee option so you can budget with certainty. The following fees cover the complete scope of the service as described, with no hidden hourly charges.
Business & Farm Formation:
Basic Formation (LLC, Corporation, or Partnership): $1,500. This includes an initial consultation, drafting and filing articles of organization/incorporation, and creating a basic operating agreement or corporate bylaws.
Advanced Formation: $3,000. For more complex business structures involving multiple owners, this includes detailed partnership or shareholder agreements.
Contract Services:
Simple Contract Review: $500. We'll review a standard contract (up to 15 pages) and provide a summary of key terms and potential risks.
Custom Contract Drafting: $1,500. For drafting a new contract from scratch, such as a vendor agreement, non-disclosure agreement, or custom sales contract.
Agricultural Lease Drafting (Landlord or Tenant):
Standard Farm Lease Drafting/Review: $1,200 – $2,500. For drafting or comprehensively reviewing commercial cash rent, flexible, or crop-share farm leases.
Estate & Farm Succession Planning:
Single-Person Basic Estate Plan: $1,500. Includes a will, power of attorney, and health care directive.
Married Couple Basic Estate Plan: $2,500. Includes reciprocal wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives.
Annual Business Compliance Package:
Standard Annual Compliance: $700/year. Includes preparation of annual meeting minutes, filing of the state annual report (plus state fees), and a 30-minute annual legal risk check-up.
Hourly Rates for Specialized Services
For legal matters that are more complex or unpredictable (such as litigation or detailed negotiation), we bill at a competitive hourly rate.
Initial Consultation: A non-refundable fee of $150 is required for your 45-60 minute specialized consultation. This fee secures dedicated time to analyze your legal matter and outline a clear strategy. If you retain our firm for your case within 30 days of the consultation, the full $150 fee will be credited toward your first invoice or required retainer.
Attorney Hourly Rate: $300/hour. This rate applies to matters including:
Zoning & Land Use Disputes: Representing farmers and agribusinesses before county and township zoning boards on issues of expansion, land variance, and development.
Regulatory Compliance & Licensing: Expert counsel on ODA, EPA, and federal regulations impacting farming operations, including permitting, licensing, and compliance risk management.
Agricultural Nuisance Defense: Aggressive defense against private nuisance claims (e.g., odor, noise) utilizing the protections of Ohio’s Right to Farm Law.
Employment Law: Advising on Ohio and federal labor laws, including wage/hour compliance, employee handbooks, and employment disputes.
Disclaimer: The fees listed above are for typical cases. More complex matters may require a different fee arrangement, which will always be discussed and agreed upon with you in advance. Filing fees and other third-party costs are not included in the flat fees listed above.