Losing two partners has changed not only the name of the Autrey, Autrey & Stewart law firm but also the cost of doing business.

Ned A. Stewart Jr. is the only attorney remaining after one partner died and the other moved on to become a judge. He is paid a flat fee each month by the City of Texarkana, Ark., and recently requested a payment increase of $3,000, nearly doubling his monthly contract.

“The city was paying me $3,500 a month retainer,” Stewart said. “That figure came about as a result of a resolution passed (by the City Board) in 2005. However, since I no longe...

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