Hey, legal minds........question.

[yyz]

My gals mom is in the middle of a wrongful death law suit.

Her lawyer is working on a standard 33 1/3 but is saying something about having expenses of $5000 "so far", too.

My question......is that right? I always thought the percentage included your time and effort, otherwise what's the fukking point?

 

[Phenom]

usually a commission contract will state a % as in the 33 1/3% + reasonable expenses.

Generally the expenses being things outside of the time preparing for and during trial. May be exhibits, paper, etc...

 

[vinnie]

every time you call it's a extra $100

 

[Sun Tzu]

Standard deal like that is the attorney gets his expenses back after any recovery, then 1/3 fee. Expenses include travel, copies, postage, long distance calls, deposition transcripts, expert witnesses,etc. Some lawyers actually get 40%. So say there are 50k in expenses and a 1 million recovery.

1 million

50 k to lawyer for expenses

then 33.3% x 950k to lawyer for fee

 

[IntenseOperator]

postage stamps alone got to hit 10 dimes in expenses

 

[dr. freeze]

expert witnesses

:142smilie :142smilie :142smilie :mj07: :mj07: :mj07:

how 'bout bribed entreprenours

 

[Zorba]

It used to be 25% for an out of court settlement and 35% in court. I guess things have changed. An expert witness may charge $10,000 and if the case gets a continuance on that day you have to pay again.
GL

 

[taoist]

My gals mom is in the middle of a wrongful death law suit.

Her lawyer is working on a standard 33 1/3 but is saying something about having expenses of $5000 "so far", too.

My question......is that right? I always thought the percentage included your time and effort, otherwise what's the fukking point?

That's pretty standard. The percentage does include time and effort, but not expenses paid.... The out-of-pocket expenses come out off the top...then you split 1/3 & 2/3 whatever is left.

 

[yyz]

Thanks guys.

 

[IE]

yyz,

i would think you would want nysportsfan's opinion on this before you seal any deal......maybe wanna hold off till he chimes in.

 

[The Judge]

postage stamps alone got to hit 10 dimes in expenses

It would seem so, at least in my experience.