For the non-business readers of this blog, “blended rates” are negotiated rates with a law firm that involve blending or averaging partner and associate hourly billing rates of a law firm.  Insurance companies are big users of blended rates.

The way blended rats work is simple. If the partner’s hourly rate is $400 an hour and the associate’s hourly rate is $300, a blended rate might be $350. But whether you can save by using blended rates in a particular case actually will depend on the type of case.  For example, if the case is complex and heavy partner involvement is anticipated, you can save on legal costs.

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