by John Graham

Created on: October 25, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Lawyers provide a vital service by knowing the law, at least in their area of specialization and in their state, and by guiding the client along a trail encompassed by legal pitfalls.

However, their fees area way out of line amongst other service providers. You may complain about your car mechanic or your gardener but a lawyer takes the cake. The argument is that lawyers have spent a long time becoming qualified and they deserve payback. They get that payback by not only charging for their services but also for any office expenses that they imagine have been incurred including postage, paper, typing and telephone time. They go far beyond what most people can afford.

Therefore, in return for the privilege of a obtaining a state license, they should indeed provide pro bono services for those without the wherewithal to obtain justice. Their normal fees are way beyond reasonable. Why should a 6-page will in which the person leaves everything to his wife costs as much as $2,000 and is simply boilerplate printed from a computer file even if the person requiring the will provides a draft? It is noticeable that lawyers tend to find out how much one is worth during the first meeting and adjust their fees upwards accordingly. Divorce guidance or a criminal matter result in astronomical fees.

However, with the recommendation that lawyers should provide pro bono services goes another.

Doctors, medical specialists and hospitals should also provide pro bono services since their charges, before being negotiated down by Insurance companies are obscene. The argument here too is that they have spent a long time becoming qualified and they deserve payback. However, why should a 30-minute physical check-up mostly performed by a medical technician cost $240? Why should a hospital bed cost more than $250 a night even while you also have to pay for individual aspirins, for the porters at the door, for the mandatory wheel chair, and for a host of other things that bring a small procedure into the realm of tens of thousands of dollars? Individual specialists such as the anesthesiologist for example will charge thousands of dollars even though their task is limited to one visit to the patient and 30 minutes of their time.

So, how much pro bono, that is feeless service, should they be required to give back to the state in which they practice? I suggest 20% of their time. That would still leave lawyers and medical specialists enough time to create their usual wealth and to buy their multi-million dollar show-homes.

Learn more about this author, John Graham.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.