What is the average hourly fee for an attorney in Los Angeles?

Is $520/hr high for a wrongful termination case?

Where can I find this information online?
The hourly fee charged by an attorney doesn't always depend on what type of case it is (i.e. wrongful termination). A bigger factor is the lawyer's reputation and success rate. I have a friend who has established himself as one of the preeminent lawyers in the state of Hawaii. He receives a lot of publicity from the local news stations and has a great success rate. He charges probably close to the rate you stated. I would not say that is a high rate it just means that you will (most likely) be getting a very competant lawyer.
Five hundred and twenty dollars an hour is not too much for a wrongful termination case . . . if you're terminating the lawyer!


Answer:
It doesn't matter where you are $520 is way high. Senior VP for a major company charged with securities fraud well that would be about right. A divorce with say 50 million in assets in contention..... again about right.

Wrongful termination? Depends on who you worked for. Yes rule of thumb is the more you spend the better the result. But.... go with a cheaper lawyer first. 500 is too much. See what happens and your lawyer can make it clear that no matter what you will continue it. Your lawyer will be more hungry for it at the cheaper rate.

It is all a game. The companies lawyer and yours will most likely make some sort of a deal. Whatever the decision you could appeal endlessly so you will eventually get some sort of the same. Go with the 200 dollar an hour guy as he can file all of the same motions.

If later it still is not working out for you you can hire the expensive guy.