Rates
We know we are in a speed business. We get calls every day from new clients, and their chief concern is, how can we speed up a system that can otherwise be quite slow (a few months for permits, then a few months for flavors, then a few months for formula, then labels). Most clients are much more concerned about saving a few days or weeks, as compared to whether anyone went to a famous law school, is wearing a three piece suit, or even how much things cost (the latter seems to be secondary, after how much time can be saved). We know we need to be quick, and we aim to do so.
- Normal Service. On most labels, formulas and similar matters, our goal is to handle the matter properly and update you within 1-2 business days. For example, review and submit a label to TTB within 1-2 business days. This is our Normal Service (our default service).
- Rush Service.
- If Normal Service is not sufficient, for an urgent matter, please clearly ask for Rush Service. Upon such requests, we would review the matter on a significantly faster timeline, let you know how much quicker we can move, and handle the matter substantially quicker than Normal Service. This should be used sparingly, in part because it is more expensive. For Rush Service work, we would charge 50% more, compared to the normal flat fees as set forth here (with a minimum Rush Service fee of $100 per Rush Service request). This Rush Service surcharge applies only to flat fee work, and there is no rush surcharge as to work billed on a time basis.
- To trigger Rush Service you must: a) specifically and prominently mention the term “Rush” within any email request for Rush service; b) send the email to rclehrman@bevlaw.com and at least one other person at the firm (or if sending to only one person, make sure that person agreed to Rush the work); and c) if making the request by phone, specifically and prominently mention the term “Rush,” and make sure the person at this firm agrees to apply Rush Service as described in this paragraph.
- To make our Rush Fee policy fair and reciprocal, we would not apply it if we are not able handle the matter substantially quicker than our Normal Service. Likewise, we would reduce our normal flat fees (for Normal Service) by 50% upon reasonable request should we not handle a matter within the above-described timeframe for Normal Service.
- Examples here.
- Expedite. Please note that the terms “expedite” and “accelerate” are commonly used by TTB and clients. But such terms are typically used to indicate something quite different from the Rush Service described above. First of all, in the general sense, we do try to expedite everything we touch, whether you have asked for Rush Service or we are trying to meet our goals for Normal Service. In a less general sense, the terms Expedite and Accelerate have been used by TTB over the years to indicate a specific request (submitted to TTB) — for the government to move quickly. So, one request (Rush) is for this firm to move at an accelerated pace, and the other (Expedite/Accelerate) is a request for the government to move at an accelerated pace. The requests are actually quite different, and so we wanted to take this opportunity to try to make the differences clear. Our policy on Rush Service is above on this page, and our policy on expedite requests is here.
Above all, our goal is to help you get things done in a proper way, with fewer surprises and hassles, and in less time.
