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There are many lawyers that have their hourly billing rate set at $1000/Hr.

No, there aren't. There are some biglaw partners who for some, very specific work charge amounts that are in the general vicinity of USD 1000. And that kind of money includes office costs (or whatever the term is that the firm uses to describe the fixed overhead rate they apply to billables to cover secretaries, stationary etc.)

Actually, USD 1000 per hour is special enough to merit an article in the WSJ about it: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870407130457616... . I certainly wouldn't say that 'many' lawyers bill those amounts.

Also, consulting a lawyer for specific work is different from hiring an iOS programmer. You get specific help that you cannot get otherwise and the law firm is on the hook for the services provided. iOS programmers are dime a dozen. Assuming this guy is the best of the lot, I still don't see him giving the kind of concrete guarantees a law firm would provide with their service. Lastly, the value-add from a law firm consultation is different (and much more concrete) than a top-notch iOS programmer, assuming he is one.

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