Opinion ID: 1702504
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Count VII: Excessive Contingency Fee Agreement

Text: On October 9, 1985, Ms. Annie Ingraham retained the respondent to represent her and her minor son in an action against the Dade County School Board. The respondent had Ingraham and her son sign a retainer agreement that provided the respondent with forty percent of any award or settlement. Pursuant to section 768.28, Florida Statutes (1985), attorney fees in such cases are limited to twenty-five percent of recovery. When the respondent learned of the statutory limitation, she failed to inform Ingraham or the son that the fee would be reduced. The referee found the respondent guilty of violating Disciplinary Rule 2-106(A) (a lawyer shall not enter into an agreement, charge or collect an illegal or clearly excessive fee) of the former Code of Professional Responsibility.