Thaler IP Law uses flat-fee pricing. Each engagement begins with a defined scope and agreed fee so clients understand what work is included and what it will cost before work begins.
How a Quote Is Built
Every engagement starts with a scoping conversation. We need to understand what you are trying to accomplish, what complications already exist, and what the deliverable looks like when the work is done. The more information we have at the start, the more accurately we can scope and price the work.
From that conversation, we build a quote based on the specific task. A standard trademark application is scoped differently than a complex licensing negotiation. A single-member LLC formation is scoped differently than a multi-member LLC with a customized operating agreement. We price based on the actual scope of the work at hand.
The scope and fee are documented in a written engagement letter before work begins. Nothing starts until you have reviewed and approved the engagement terms in writing.
What's Included
The engagement agreement identifies the work included in the flat fee. The exact scope varies by matter. Generally, the engagement letter will specify the deliverables, the work included, any applicable filing fees, and the timeline and communication expectations for the engagement.
Clients know the agreed scope and fee before work begins. The engagement letter documents what is included so there is no ambiguity about the terms of the engagement.
If the Scope Changes
Scope changes are a normal part of legal work, and we handle them transparently. If requested work materially expands beyond the agreed scope, the firm discusses the change and confirms any revised scope and fee before undertaking additional work. You will receive a written explanation of what changed and what it costs, and work on the expanded scope does not begin until you have approved it.
Reasonable communications and minor clarifications within the original scope are part of the engagement. Material changes to the scope are identified and confirmed in writing before proceeding.
When Flat Fees Apply
Flat-fee pricing works well for defined scopes of work: formations, contracts, trademark filings, compliance audits, and similar matters with clear deliverables. Litigation, arbitration, and other matters where the scope is genuinely unpredictable may be structured differently.
For ongoing advisory relationships through our Fractional GC program, we use a monthly retainer structure that covers a defined range of work each month, providing the same cost clarity applied to a broader and more continuous scope of services.
If you have a legal need and are not sure how it would be priced, the best way to find out is to start a conversation. We will explain how we would approach the matter and what the fee structure would look like before any work begins.
Starting the Conversation
The initial conversation is complimentary and carries no obligation. We want to understand your situation before we quote anything, and you should understand how we work before you commit.
If we are the right fit, we will send you a written engagement letter with a defined scope and fee. If we are not the right fit, we will tell you that too.
Last reviewed: September 2026