Criminal Defense
Since 1993
Since 1993
Why Is a Lawyer So Expensive? (The Legend of Ed Leinster)
By: John Guidry
Willie Nelson has a great answer to a similar question: Why is divorce so expensive? Because it’s worth it.
Several decades ago, my friend was the best criminal defense attorney in Orlando. He charged $15,000 down on a misdemeanor. In today’s dollars, that would be $43,447. Yikes.
Who throws around that kind of money on a misdemeanor? And, who has the balls to charge that much?
Paying for a lawyer isn’t just about time; it’s about the result.
Don’t bargain-hunt with your freedom. Call John today at (407) 423-1117.
The Hermes Principle: Value vs. Price
To understand legal fees, look at fashion. A Hermes Birkin bag will set you back $65,000. Yes, a purse for $65,000. If you try to buy one now, you can’t. Hermes pretends to be “sold out” even though they always have a few in the back.
Hermes’ pricing strategy is similar to my friend’s pricing strategy—except that my friend was worth every penny. He “had it all.” A house in Windermere? Check. An expensive boat? Check. An airplane? Check.
But then, the fees dropped. A DUI that once cost $20,000 plunged to $2,500. Why? Because the genius behind the fees, Ed Leinster, had a problem.
The Rise and Fall of a Legal Genius
Before getting underpaid as my paralegal, Ed Leinster was the best criminal defense attorney in Orlando—until he received his fourth DUI. With every new arrest, Ed’s prices plummeted. He eventually went to prison for five years and was disbarred.
When he got out, I hired him. I learned more from Ed than I did in grad school or law school. Ed was a legal genius.
- He was arrested 20 times.
- He found a way to practice while addicted.
- A Circuit Court Judge once said, “A drunk Ed Leinster is a better attorney than most of the sober attorneys that appear in my courtroom.”
Imagine that. You are so good that even the judge knows you are impaired, but your arguments are flawless.
The Currency of Genius (Even in Prison)
There were things Ed couldn’t do. I never let him speak to clients facing prison because he had zero empathy. Why? Because Ed did five years in prison and didn’t think it was a big deal.
As he told me many times: “I had nothing to worry about for five years.” How does a guy with a mansion and a plane survive prison so easily? Because value is universal.
- Outside prison, Ed charged $85,000 for an appeal.
- Inside prison, he was the best lawyer the other inmates couldn’t afford.
- He drafted appeals for Twinkies. He was treated like a King because he held the keys to freedom for his fellow inmates.
The Stoic Lesson
It is said that folks should practice poverty. The Stoic philosopher Seneca said we should set aside days to live with the scantiest fare and ask ourselves: “Is this the condition that I feared?”
For most of my clients, prison is that fear. Yet Ed found a way through it. If my internet goes down, I’m in a bad mood. Ed lost his license, his wealth, and his freedom, and remained chill.
I miss you, Ed. Please, tell me how you did it.
John’s 2026 Update: The “Commodity” Trap
Note: In the years since Ed passed, the legal market has changed drastically.
1. Why Did Fees Come Down? (The AI Factor) You asked if Artificial Intelligence or LegalZoom drove prices down. The answer is Yes.
- In 2026, you can get an AI to write a “Motion to Dismiss” for $50.
- The Problem: An AI cannot read the room. An AI cannot look a jury in the eye. An AI cannot do what a “drunk Ed Leinster” could do—which is persuade a human judge to rule in your favor against the odds.
2. The Danger of “Commodity” Law If you treat a lawyer like a commodity (like buying gas or milk), you will get commodity results.
- Public Defenders are great lawyers, but they are overworked. They are the “commodity” option provided by the state.
- If you want the “Hermes” result—the result that saves your career and reputation—you cannot pay “LegalZoom” prices.
3. The Price of Genius Today While the average DUI lawyer charges around $3,000 – $5,000 today, the “Ed Leinsters” of 2026 still command top dollar.
- Why? Because it’s worth it. When your freedom is on the line, the most expensive lawyer is often the one who actually wins.
Don’t Hire a Cheap Lawyer for a Serious Problem
If you are facing a charge that could ruin your life, do not shop for the lowest price. Shop for the lawyer who—like Ed—knows the law better than the judge does.
Call me at (407) 423-1117. Let’s get to work.
About John Guidry II
John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.
Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.
Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.
When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.