Legal Question in Legal Ethics in New Jersey

A lawyer can charge his hourly fee for the lawyer's time spent. There may be a fee for time spent by his support staff, but that is not the attorney's time and should be treated separately.

Preparation? of what?

You should look at the written fee agreement with your lawyer. If you do not have one, that is bad. I always have a written agreement with my clients.

Sounds like this should be discussed with the attorney.

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