For many cases, Mr. Sperber charges an hourly fee, which covers all time spent on the client’s behalf, including legal research, preparation of correspondence, legal documents and court papers, telephone conferences, meetings, travel, etc. Mr. Sperber generally bills in tenth-of-an-hour increments and invoices his clients once per month. Usually, a deposit is required.

"Contingency" billing means that the attorneys' fee is contingent upon the recovery he or she achieves for his or her client. Mr. Sperber follows the prevailing contingency rate in California: 33.3% to 40%, depending on the complexity of the case, the amount involved and the likelihood of recovery, among other factors. Generally, the client is responsible for out-of-pocket costs, such as filing fees, deposition transcripts and investigation expenses. Lower contingency rates are occasionally negotiated.

Under "flat rate" billing, the client pays a specified rate for a specified service, regardless of the amount of time required to provide that service. For example, if a client needed a particular contract drafted or a company incorporated, and could provide all of the information up-front, Mr. Sperber might charge a flat rate for that particular transaction.