S3: Ep 6; The Secret to Setting (and Collecting) Big Fees as Criminal Defense Lawyers

In this episode, Greg McCollum addresses one of the most taboo topics in criminal defense: charging and collecting big fees.

Are you struggling to set your fees, or wondering how some criminal defense lawyers earn $25,000, $75,000, or even $250,000 on a single case? Greg unpacks why most attorneys shy away from open fee discussions, how confidence and positioning drive high-value cases, and what it takes to shift your client base to one that expects—and pays—premium rates.

Serious about growing a sustainable and profitable criminal defense practice? This episode will help you overcome the scarcity mindset, set transformational fees, and stand out in a crowded market to compete at the highest level in criminal defense law. If you want less stress, more time, and more money, learn how to start setting and collecting those big fees now.

Show Highlights:

Why criminal defense fees require immediate client payment. [03:42]

Understanding the culture of opacity around legal fees in criminal defense. [04:13]

Learn about what sparked the creation of Prosper at Law in 2021. [05:53]

What exactly qualifies as "big" fees in criminal defense? [07:41]

How "quantum" fees entirely change client/case volume and profit. [10:52]

Know the travel realities of practicing criminal defense at high fee levels. [12:05]

How to self-position as criminal defense lawyers to justify premium fees. [13:45]

Discover an exercise to overcome scarcity mindset and quote higher fees. [15:54]