Under the so-called “American rule,” each party bears its own attorneys’ fees, regardless of who wins the case. But there are numerous exceptions to the rule that may allow a party to recover attorneys’ fees from the opposing party. The most common exception is when a contract provides for an award of attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in litigation over the contract or between the parties. Further, there are numerous state and federal statutes that provide for an award of attorneys’ fees to either a prevailing plaintiff or prevailing party in litigation over certain matters. At the outset of any case that we handle, we determine whether there may be a basis to make a claim for attorneys’ fees and, if so, assert the claim. In virtually any case that we handle for clients, we seek to maximize their financial position within the context of the case.