Fee Agreement – Contingency Representation

1. Parties and Matter

• Law Firm: [Firm Name], [Address].
• Client: [Client Name], [Address].
• Matter Description: [Describe claim/potential litigation].

2. Contingent Fee Terms

• Attorney fee contingent upon recovery by settlement, judgment, or alternative resolution.
• Fee percentages:
• [Percentage]% of gross recovery if resolved before filing lawsuit.
• [Percentage]% if resolved after filing but before trial.
• [Percentage]% if resolved after trial commencement, on appeal, or after remand.
• Attorney fee calculated on gross recovery before deduction of costs unless prohibited; specify alternative if applicable.

3. Costs and Expenses

• Costs advanced by firm include: filing fees, service of process, deposition expenses, expert witness fees, travel, mediation, medical records, investigators, technology, exhibits, and other litigation expenses.
• Client responsible for reimbursing costs from recovery; if no recovery, client remains liable for costs unless otherwise stated: [Choose: client owes costs regardless / costs waived].
• Client authorizes firm to deduct costs from recovery prior to disbursement.

4. Client Cooperation

• Provide factual information, documents, witness contact information, and respond to attorney requests promptly.
• Attend medical appointments, depositions, and hearings as required.
• Refrain from negotiating directly with opposing parties or insurers without attorney consent.

5. Settlement Authority

• Client retains final authority over settlement decisions.
• Attorney will present all offers promptly and provide evaluation; acceptance requires written client approval.

6. Trust Account Procedures

• All recovery funds deposited into attorney trust account.
• Disbursement statement to itemize gross recovery, attorney fee, costs, liens, and client net share.

7. Lien and Subrogation Matters

• Client authorizes firm to resolve medical liens, Medicare/Medicaid interests, and insurance subrogation claims.
• Firm may hire lien resolution vendors at client expense when necessary.

8. Termination

• Client may terminate representation at any time; firm entitled to reimbursement of costs and quantum meruit fee payable from any subsequent recovery.
• Firm may withdraw for good cause (noncooperation, misrepresentation, or ethical conflicts) subject to court approval if litigation filed.

9. Arbitration/Fee Disputes

• Any dispute regarding attorney fees submitted to [State/County Bar Fee Arbitration Program] before litigation or binding arbitration as required by law.

10. Governing Law and Venue

• Agreement governed by laws of [State]; venue for disputes is [County], [State].

11. Acknowledgements

• Client acknowledges receiving written contingency fee disclosure, understands right to seek independent counsel, and consents to attorney association with co-counsel (subject to client approval of fee division).

12. Signatures