In this article I will try to provide guidance on the thorny issues raised by lawyers' efforts to charge fixed fees, especially when they are labelled "nonrefundable." Although this is a perennial issue, we are addressing it now in light of a new ABA opinion—Formal Opinion 505 (Opinion 505)—which discusses the principles as set forth in the applicable Model Rule. However, as discussed here due to differences in the New York rule, Opinion 505 does not in all respects apply to New York lawyers.