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Subscription Details and Legal Fee Options

Predictable Legal Support for Individuals Navigating Federal Systems

 

Whether you are a veteran pursuing benefits, a federal employee facing workplace issues, or an individual interacting with federal agencies, legal guidance should be clear and predictable.

 

I combine legal counsel with two decades of federal leadership and public service experience to help clients understand federal systems, protect their rights, and move forward with confidence.

Working Together

Every engagement begins with a conversation about goals, options, and strategy.

Most clients work with the firm through subscription-based legal access plans that provide ongoing guidance without large retainers or unpredictable hourly bills.

For specific matters, the firm may also offer flat-fee projects or contingency representation, depending on the type of case and applicable federal regulations.

Legal services are provided through the Law Office of D.C. Burnette, PLLC, a Missouri-licensed law firm providing services limited to federal law and matters governed by Missouri law.

Consulting services may also be available for nonprofits, mission-driven organizations, or federal contractors under separate agreements.

Overview of Subscription Plans

Veterans, federal employees, mission-driven organizations, and federal vendors often need steady support. Guidance must be timely, practical, and accessible without the unpredictability of hourly billing. The firm offers a monthly subscription model that blends limited-scope federal legal services with strategic consulting, giving clients reliable access to counsel and operational insight when issues arise.

Subscriptions are designed for those who value continuity, clarity, and disciplined problem-solving. They secure access to the firm, establish predictable costs, and provide a structured way to address federal matters as they develop.

Primary Individual Subscription Plan

Legal Essentials Access Plan (LEAP) - $100/month

The LEAP plan provides ongoing access to legal guidance for individuals navigating federal systems, including veterans, federal employees, military members, and individuals interacting with federal agencies.

What the Plan Includes

  • Unlimited short consultations (reasonable use)

  • Document review or limited drafting (up to 10 pages per month)

  • Guidance on federal employment issues and workplace protections

  • Advice on veterans benefits strategy and navigating VA systems

  • Federal contractor and VOSB/SDVOSB advising

  • Public-lands permit guidance and federal agency processes

  • Emergency consultations within 24 business hours when urgent issues arise

  • Secure client portal communication

Ideal For

  • Veterans navigating benefits, health care, or records issues

  • Federal employees seeking guidance on workplace matters

  • Individuals interacting with federal agencies

  • Professionals working in public lands, conservation, or federal programs

What Is Not Included

The subscription plan does not include:

  • litigation or court representation

  • formal administrative hearings or appeals

  • complex filings or extensive drafting beyond plan limits

  • state-law representation outside Missouri

  • travel or third-party expenses

When a matter requires representation beyond the subscription scope, the firm may offer a separate flat-fee or contingency engagement or provide a referral.

How the Subscriptions Work (Plain-English Terms)

 

Limited-scope services

Subscriptions provide ongoing consulting and limited federal legal guidance. They do not include full legal representation in any matter unless separately agreed through a standalone engagement letter.

Reasonable use

“Unlimited access” means prompt, practical support within a fair and reasonable volume, ensuring all subscribers receive timely attention.

Billing & cancellation

Subscriptions are billed monthly and auto-renew until canceled. Fees are earned upon receipt as payment for access and availability. 

Scope & jurisdiction

  • The attorney is licensed in Missouri.

  • Legal services are limited to federal law, federal administrative forums, and federal regulatory matters where authorized.

 

Subscription Plans for Nonprofits and Federal Vendors

Each plan blends strategic consulting with limited-scope federal legal guidance. All services are delivered virtually and tailored to the needs of mission-aligned nonprofits, public-lands partners, and federal vendors seeking clarity, compliance, and responsible growth.

The Foundation Plan — $250/month

For emerging nonprofits and early-stage federal vendors who need clarity and structure.
This plan establishes essential systems, promotes sound operations, and offers steady access for foundational issues.

What’s Included

  • 1–2 scheduled consultations per month (email/video/phone/client portal)

  • Light document review (up to 10 pages/month) for bylaws, internal policies, vendor agreements, or simple federal-facing documents

  • Formation and organizational roadmap for nonprofits; federal-readiness checklists for vendors

  • Annual compliance checklist and reminders

  • Priority messaging through the client portal

Ideal For

  • Start-up nonprofits

  • Grassroots groups

  • New or small federal vendors needing structured processes and clear guidance

The Growth Plan — $500/month

For developing nonprofits and smaller federal vendors ready to strengthen systems, reduce risks, and improve compliance.


This plan pairs consistent consulting with moderate document work to solve recurring issues and enhance organizational performance.

What’s Included

  • Everything in the Foundation Plan

  • Quarterly strategy discussions with leadership or the board

  • Drafting/review of MOUs, vendor/grant agreements, teaming-related documents, and essential internal policies (reasonable volume)

  • Risk spotting and process improvement (conflicts, finance workflows, documentation, records)

  • Priority scheduling for time-sensitive matters

Ideal For

  • Organizations building capacity

  • Vendors preparing for growth or seeking better federal compliance

  • Nonprofits expanding programming or entering into federal partnerships

The Renewal Plan — $1,000/month

For mature nonprofits and established federal vendors navigating complexity, partnerships, or organizational change.


This plan provides high-level advisory support, governance refinement, and focused guidance for federal-facing work.

What’s Included

  • Everything in the Growth Plan

  • Standing monthly retainer access for scheduled consultations

  • Participation in board or executive meetings when useful

  • Recurring governance, compliance, and internal process tune-ups

  • Federal interface guidance (grants, cooperative agreements, public-lands partnerships, DOI/USDA/NPS/BLM/BOR context)

  • Custom templates and playbooks for recurring agreements, vendor relationships, or policy frameworks

Ideal For

  • Mature nonprofits coordinating multi-party initiatives

  • Vendors handling federal deliverables, performance expectations, or relationship management

  • Organizations undergoing leadership transitions or strategic realignment

What’s Not Included (All Tiers)

The following require separate engagements or are outside the subscription model:

  • Full litigation, formal administrative hearings, MSPB or COFC appearances, or any representation requiring a separate entry of appearance

  • Complex applications, protests, appeals, or extensive drafting beyond the plan’s limited scope

  • State-law matters (unless incidental to a federal issue or permitted by professional rules)

  • Travel or third-party expenses

  • Any work that would constitute a conflict with existing clients

If a subscriber’s needs exceed the scope of a plan, the firm will propose a separate limited-scope or flat-fee engagement or, where appropriate, provide referrals.

Park

Additional Legal Services and Project Fees

Subscribers may access additional legal services at discounted rates when a matter requires work beyond the scope of the subscription plan.

This approach allows clients to maintain affordable ongoing access to legal guidance while paying predictable fees for more complex or time-intensive matters.

Active subscribers typically receive rates approximately 25% lower than the firm’s standard rates.

All additional services are governed by a separate engagement agreement defining scope and fees.

Hourly Fee Services

  • Standard Legal Advising & Strategy: Included in all Subscriptions. (Non-Subscriber Rate: $300/hour)

  • Non-legal Consulting and Advising: Included in all Subscriptions. (Non-Subscriber Rate: $250/hour)

  • Federal Appeals & Complex Matters: Included in all Subscriptions. (Non-Subscriber Rate: $400/hour)

  • Note: Prime or Subcontractor Hourly Rates: $200.00/hour. Subscription rates do not apply. Rates are based on current GSA Schedule and market benchmarks for equivalent professional categories. The hourly rate represents a fully burdened rate, inclusive of all direct labor, overhead, G&A, and profit.

  • All other services will be done on a flat fee or contingency fee model. 

 Contingency Fee Services

Certain federal matters may be handled under a contingency fee arrangement when permitted by law.

A contingency fee means that legal fees are paid only if a recovery or award is obtained.

 

Examples may include:

  • veterans benefits appeals

  • whistleblower claims

  • certain federal administrative actions such as SSA Claims

For subscribers, contingency fees are typically limited to approximately 20% of the recovery, subject to any applicable federal fee caps.

 

Non-subscriber contingency agreements may follow industry-standard ranges where permitted by law.

 

All contingency arrangements require a separate written contingency fee agreement.

Flat Fee Services

For defined legal tasks, the firm may offer flat-fee services so clients know the cost in advance.

 

These projects are typically available to active subscribers and may include:

  • document drafting or review

  • legal strategy memoranda

  • administrative filings

  • policy comment letters

  • FOIA requests and administrative appeals

  • federal permit or compliance guidance

Flat-fee pricing depends on scope and complexity and will be confirmed before work begins.

Services Not Included in Subscriptions

Subscription plans do not include:

• litigation or court representation
• formal administrative hearings or appeals
• complex filings or extensive drafting
• state-law representation outside Missouri
• travel or third-party costs

When these matters arise, the firm will propose a separate flat-fee, hourly, or contingency engagement, or provide a referral if appropriate.

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Law Office of D.C. Burnette, PLLC

A Fully Virtual Law Practice Focused on Federal Law | Licensed in Missouri

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