Steube said he sought a job at Becker on the advice of a Tallahassee acquaintance who saw him “struggling” to do his job as a lawmaker while also logging enough billable hours to make a living.
Most law firms have an “eat what you kill” payment structure in which lawyers are paid based on how many hours of work they perform for their clients, Steube noted.
Because of his legislative duties, Steube said he does not have the time to do traditional legal work.
Becker offered Steube a more flexible arrangement. Steube does not have to reach a set quota of billable hours. Instead, the firm pays him a retainer to act as a rainmaker who brings in clients and refers them to other lawyers.
“Obviously, you have relationships because you’re in the Legislature,” Steube said, adding: “It’s easy to develop relationships and then bring them in as clients to the firm.”
Asked whether relying on contacts he makes as a state lawmaker to drum up business for his firm presents other conflicts, Steube said, “I haven’t brought a single client into the firm because of my position.” Being in the Legislature simply gives him “the opportunity to meet a lot of business leaders in the community and my firm can service all of those needs,” Steube said.
