How does California law define unconscionably high fees?

The definition of unconscionably high fees under California law focuses on the concept of excessive fees that lack justification. This means that a fee may be considered unconscionable if it is significantly greater than what is reasonable for the legal services provided or if it cannot be substantiated by the attorney's explanation of the value of those services. The focus here is on the lack of justification—meaning that an attorney must provide a rationale or basis for their fees. If the fee appears excessive without a reasonable explanation, it falls into the category of being unconscionably high.

Options that reference being exorbitantly higher than market rate or surpassing the client's ability to pay miss the broader context that justification plays a crucial role in the determination of unconscionability. Additionally, while fees that are difficult for a client to afford can be problematic, the key element in evaluating unconscionable fees is whether those fees are excessive without appropriate justification based on the services rendered.