In most civil cases, the attorney will be paid an hourly fee, a contingency fee or a combination of both. An attorney’s hourly rate depends on the attorney’s experience, operating expenses, the location of the practice and the status of the law firm. Smaller firms or less experienced attorneys will charge $100-$300 per hour, while larger, more powerful firms with in-demand attorneys may charge as much as $500 per hour.
Certain types of civil cases, such as personal injury, are likely to be charged on a contingency basis. This means that the attorney will receive a certain percentage of the settlement or judgement of the case — typically 30-40 percent. If the plaintiff loses the case, the attorney will still charge a fee; make sure this amount is agreed to and specified in the contract before moving forward.
In some cases, particularly those anticipated to involve many depositions, the attorney will charge an hourly fee for the work done to prepare for trial, then a contingency fee for the trial itself.