Start by trying one of the alternative billing methods summarized below. Contingent Fee Contingent fee means the attorney's fee depends on the results achieved. The attorney agrees to take a percentage of the verdict, or settlement, as fees. Your fees may far exceed what you might expect if you billed a client based upon an hourly rate. The expense of litigation may have to be advanced or carried by the lawyer if the client is unable to do so.
Some jurisdictions limit contingency percentages in prescribed cases.
Fixed or Flat Fee Attorney and client agree to a set fee for specified services. Although attorneys have traditionally used this method to bill individual clients for services such as wills and real estate closings, it has become increasingly popular with corporate clients concerned about budgets. This method provides clients with predictability in legal-service pricing, for which they may be willing to pay a premium. It can also reduce time and expense of administration especially for low cost, volume work. Efficiency becomes essential because you bear the risk of significant cost overruns.