Contingency Fee
A contingency fee is a payment arrangement where lawyers only get paid if they win the case or secure a settlement for their client. Instead of charging hourly rates, the lawyer receives a percentage of the money awarded. This is common in personal injury, workers' compensation, and employment law cases. For example, if a lawyer wins a $100,000 settlement on a standard 33% contingency fee, they would receive $33,000. This approach makes legal services accessible to clients who can't afford upfront legal fees.
Examples in Resumes
Managed over 200 contingency fee cases with a 85% success rate
Specialized in contingency fee personal injury litigation with average settlements exceeding $500,000
Developed efficient tracking system for contingency fee arrangements across the firm
Typical job title: "Contingency Fee Attorneys"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Contingency Fee Attorneys
Professional Associations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you evaluate whether to take on a contingency fee case?
Expected Answer: Should discuss assessing case merit, potential settlement value, resources required, risks involved, and firm's capacity. Should mention checking client's credibility and evidence strength.
Q: How do you structure contingency fee agreements to protect both the firm and client?
Expected Answer: Should explain clear communication of fee percentages, handling of costs, settlement stages, and termination clauses. Should mention state bar compliance and ethical considerations.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you manage client expectations in contingency fee cases?
Expected Answer: Should discuss clear communication about timelines, potential outcomes, explaining fee structures, and regular updates on case progress.
Q: What's your approach to negotiating settlements in contingency fee cases?
Expected Answer: Should explain strategies for maximizing client recovery while balancing time investment and risk, and discussing settlement options with clients.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Explain the basic concept of a contingency fee arrangement.
Expected Answer: Should explain that lawyers only get paid if they win, typically receiving a percentage of the settlement or award, and how this differs from hourly billing.
Q: What types of cases typically use contingency fee arrangements?
Expected Answer: Should mention personal injury, workers' compensation, employment discrimination, and other cases where clients might not be able to afford upfront legal fees.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic case evaluation
- Client intake interviews
- Document preparation
- Settlement negotiations assistance
Mid (2-5 years)
- Case management
- Settlement negotiations
- Client relationship management
- Risk assessment
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex case strategy
- High-value negotiations
- Practice area leadership
- Mentoring junior attorneys
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with case evaluation or risk assessment
- Poor track record in similar cases
- Lack of understanding of ethical guidelines
- Limited experience in relevant practice areas
