How to Find a Contingent Attorney
Attorneys charge clients in different ways. Fixed fees refer to flat charges, such as $1,000 to prepare and file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition. Some attorneys charge hourly rates that depend on market rates and attorney experience. An attorney in a small town might charge $150 an hour, while an attorney in a large city might charge double for the same service.
Contingent attorneys usually charge clients only after their cases are settled or receive judgments. While you do not pay a contingent attorney anything upfront, the attorney typically receives 33 to 50 percent of the final award. For instance, if you case settles for $10,000, the attorney will receive $4,000.
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Instructions
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Review the attorney's disciplinary or malpractice record, which you can access through most state bar associations. While it is easy to check the Yellow Pages or search online to find an attorney who accepts contingency cases, you should hire an experienced attorney who has a strong record.
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Contact your local professional group of attorneys. Most cities in the U.S. organize bar associations. Some examples are Austin (austinbar.org), Chicago (chicagobar.org) or Los Angeles (lacba.org).
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Consult your state bar association. For instance, the Florida Bar Association maintains an online attorney search tool (floridabar.org/names.nsf/MESearch?OpenForm). All states maintain a professional group of attorneys and even have subgroups or committees based on practice areas.
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Approach family members, friends and colleagues for attorney referrals. If you know someone who was involved in a personal injury case (e.g., slip and fall, car accident) and hired an attorney, ask if the attorney accepted contingency fees.
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Search through national databases, including lawyers.com and martindale.com. Realize that attorney self-advertising or marketing generates several online listings. For instance, attorneyfind.com is a directory that charges attorneys for each listing so the directory does not maintain information about all attorneys.
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Tips & Warnings
Certain practice areas attract more contingency attorneys, such as personal injury or medical malpractice cases. You are more likely to find a plaintiff rather than a defense attorney who takes contingency cases.
Attorneys who accept contingency cases might have a greater incentive to settle the cases as soon as possible, such as during court-ordered mediation, so that they will be paid.
