June 16, 2025
When you think about hiring a lawyer, what’s your biggest worry?

For most people, it’s the fear of unpredictable legal costs. You might wonder, ‚ÄúHow much is this going to cost me in the end?‚Äù That uncertainty is stressful especially if you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or creative just trying to protect what you’ve built.

At Sleight Law, we believe hiring a lawyer shouldn’t come with surprises. That’s why we use a flat-fee pricing model instead of hourly billing. In this post, we’ll show you why that matters, how it compares to traditional billing, and how it saves you time, money, and peace of mind.

The Problem with Hourly Billing

Traditional law firms often charge by the hour. That means:

  • You’re billed for every minute spent on your case. 
  • You don’t know the final cost until after the work is done. 
  • You may hesitate to ask questions or request updates because every call or email adds to your bill. 

This model can quickly lead to stress. According to a 2023 report by Clio, 57% of clients say price transparency is one of the most important factors when hiring a lawyer. But hourly billing makes that almost impossible.

What Is Flat-Fee Billing?

Flat-fee billing means you pay a set amount for a specific legal service, no matter how long it takes. There are no surprise charges and no hidden fees. You know the price upfront and can plan your budget around it.

This approach works especially well for services like:

  • Trademark registration 
  • Business formation 
  • Contract drafting and review 
  • Copyright protection 

Instead of tracking time, your lawyer focuses on getting the best outcome for you.

Why Sleight Law Uses Flat-Fee Pricing

At Sleight Law, we’re not just lawyers we’re partners in your business journey. We designed our flat-fee pricing to make legal help:

  • Predictable : Know what you’re paying from the start. 
  • Affordable : No inflated bills for quick questions or short meetings. 
  • Transparent : No games, no gimmicks, just clear pricing. 

We believe that great legal service should feel stress-free and empowering, not like a gamble.

Real-World Comparison: Flat-Fee vs. Hourly

Let’s say you need a trademark for your brand.

Traditional Firm (Hourly)

  • Charges $350/hour 
  • 6 hours of work (research, filing, follow-up) 
  • Total: $2,100+ 

Sleight Law (Flat-Fee)

  • One transparent price, up front 
  • No extra fees for updates, questions, or follow-ups 
  • Total: One affordable rate 

The difference? Peace of mind. You know what you’re getting and what you’ll pay. Plus, we focus on results not running up the clock.

More Than Just Cost: The Emotional Benefit

Legal issues already come with enough stress. Worrying about a growing bill only makes it worse.

Flat-fee pricing means:

  • You’re more likely to ask questions and stay informed. 
  • You build a better relationship with your legal team. 
  • You can relax, knowing there won’t be any surprises. 

As our clients often say, “Sleight Law just makes it easy.”

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It

Want to see what real clients are saying? Check out our Google reviews here:
[Sleight Law Reviews]

 

Our rercent blog

Is Hiring a Trademark Lawyer Worth It for Chicago Entrepreneurs?

Understanding the True Value of a Trademark Lawyer For many entrepreneurs and small business owners in Chicago, launching a brand is an exciting step toward growth and recognition. Yet one question often comes up early in the process: “Is a trademark lawyer really...

Back-to-School Marketing: Is Your Trademark Protected?

Every August, brands across the U.S. launch Back-to-School marketing campaigns—ads, emails, social posts, and in‑store promotions. It’s one of the busiest retail seasons of the year. But with more exposure comes a greater risk of competitors or copycats using your...

When and Why to File a Trademark Opposition

You’ve spent time and money building a unique brand. But what if someone else tries to register a trademark that looks or sounds a lot like yours? That’s where a trademark opposition comes in. Filing an opposition is your legal right—and often your best chance to stop...

Trademark Mistakes Small Businesses Should Avoid

Starting a business is exciting—but skipping trademark protection can cost you big time later. Many small businesses make the same common trademark mistakes, often because they don’t know how trademark law works. The good news? These errors are easy to avoid with the...

How to Respond to a USPTO Office Action

If you’ve applied to register a trademark and received an Office Action notice from the USPTO, don’t panic. This does not mean your application is denied—it means the examining attorney found an issue that must be resolved before your mark can be approved. In...

How to Monitor Competitors’ Trademark Activity

Keeping an eye on your competitors is a smart part of any business strategy, but it’s especially critical when it comes to trademarks. Monitoring your competitors’ trademark activity helps you spot potential threats, protect your brand, and stay competitive in your...

The Impact of AI on Trademark Searches

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how we do business—and that includes how we protect trademarks. What used to be a slow, manual process is now faster, smarter, and more powerful thanks to AI. But like all new technology, AI in trademark law comes with both...

How to Trademark a Podcast Name

If you’ve started a podcast, you’ve likely invested significant time and energy creating a unique name that resonates with your voice, topic, and audience. But what happens if someone else uses your name—or worse, trademarks it before you? That’s why it’s...

What to Include in Your Trademark Licensing Agreements

Licensing your trademark can be a great way to grow your brand, earn extra income, and expand into new markets. But if your trademark licensing agreement isn’t clear or legally strong, you could lose control of your brand—or even your trademark rights. Here’s a...

3 Costly Trademark Mistakes Faith-Based Practice Owners Must Avoid

Insights from My Interview on the Wise Practice Podcast with Whitney Owens I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on The Wise Practice Podcast, hosted by faith-based practice consultant Whitney Owens. We dove deep into some of the most common and costly...

Ready to Protect Your Brand?

Book a free consultation call with us today to get expert guidance on trademark registration and protection.

(Or at least download our Ultimate Trademark Checklist to make sure you’re covering all the bases.)

Did you know?

Without Trademarks, You Have ZERO Rights To Your Brand.

We’re talking business names, logos, slogans… even podcast titles. Lots of entrepreneurs don’t protect their trademarks until it’s too late.

So we made a short, free video to help you avoid the biggest, most dangerous mistakes that business owners make.