Pricing Philosophy · Ogilvie Law Firm

Why Flat Fees

No hourly surprises. No ambiguity about what you owe. A commitment to what is delivered — not a meter running while the work gets done.

Flat fees mean you know your cost before we begin. They also raise a fair question: does a fixed fee mean less attorney effort on harder matters, or an attorney windfall on simpler ones?

The answer is neither — and the reason is how I use AI. On a simpler invention, AI lets me explore more embodiments, more field-of-use variations, and more edge cases than a manually drafted application typically covers. You get broader protection than the flat fee would have bought without it. On a complex invention, AI helps me run more consistency and vulnerability checks across the specification and claims — catching internal contradictions and support gaps. This helps identify them early. You get more rigor, not less, on the aspects of the matter that need it most.

The flat fee is a commitment to what I deliver, not a cap on what time I spend. That's only possible because of how I use the AI tools.

How this works in practice: Every engagement begins with a clear written scope in the engagement letter — what is included, what is not, and what the flat fee covers. The flat fee for each DIY service is listed on the service details page for that service. Flat fees for full service options are discussed during a scoping meeting. If your matter is outside the typical scope, we discuss it before I proceed. No surprises.