Are lawyers fees negotiable?

The answer is probably as different as there are different lawyers, types of law and particular issues -- in some cases it definitely is and in others the fee is standard. The best thing to do is contact a few lawyers and ask approximately what they would charge for a matter like yours and, if the fee is too expensive but you really want them, ask if their fees are negotiable.

In theory fees are negotiable. However, there are lots of lawyers and most charge a reasonable rate already based on their expertise. It may not seem that way, but lawyers are not like doctors, we don't cram 50 client conferneces in a day. There are three things people want from lawyers, cheap fees, fast response, and good results. In reality you can have any two of the three. Which two do you want?

In short, fees are negotiable. Compare rates and fee structures of several attorneys. And, don't be surprised if a lawyer declines to reduce his/her rate as it may not fit within the lawyer's business model. At the end of the day, the best lawyer is the one you feel most comfortable with handling your case (even if the lawyer charges a little bit more).

All the above is true, with the exception that some fees may be regulated by statute in your state. Some states have fee limits in certain types of cases, such as probate, medical malpractice, etc. When comparing atty who charge hourly, be very careful about relying on the rate alone. There are attys who will charge a lesser rate, but then have a paralegal doing work and billing like a lawyer, or they may pad the hours to increase the total, or they may not be as skilled or knowledgeable, and therefore it may take them more hours to do something than the higher priced lawyer.

In Ca yes. If you are unsure call your state bar.