Do you think it is fair for lawyers to charge you a fee based on your expected gain if you win the case?

[foxsquirrell]

For example you are fighting for your right over a million dollars. So the lawyers says ahh a million dollars then my fee will be 50,000 dollars. Even though he did not work anymore than the lawyer whose client was fighting for his right over 20,000 dollars and his fee was 2,000 dollars.

* Numbers are just an example to make the point.

Yes it justified that they are paid more if the client is to win a lot of money.

No it is not fair. They are thieves. They should be paid on a pro rata bases and not tap into the right of their client.

[Dargil]

It will improve the legal landscape if lawyers charged a fixed rate per hour like $250 or $300 and not take some kind of a commission. That is the cause of strike, suits and other types of suits which are intended to injure or take advantage of others

[foxsquirrell]

Thats a good term yes. Commission. The legal system needs reform, but the guys in power will not act against their own pockets. Even if it is abusing the money poor people who had the misfortune to get their tail caught up in the legal machine.

[Dargil]

Perhaps we should BAN! attorneys from running for office. Its like appointing Jesús Malverde, the "patron saint" of the illegal drug trade as Border Czar.

[RandomUser1000]

If they charge a higher fee but only based on if they win.
That could make sense to the client.

[foxsquirrell]

What makes sense to me is that they charge a pro rata fee, or a fee per court hearing. A more reasonably structured fee. It is how employees all around the world are paid after all. A builder might do 8 hours mixing concrete, and a lawyer might do 8 hours research and preparing his case. They are both work. But they want to take advantage and rob you alive to the point of crippling you financially.

[RandomUser1000]

Some people work on commission rather then a fixed hourly rate.
Have you never heard of working on commission?

[exitseven]

That is how lawyers work.

[foxsquirrell]

That is my question essentially, is it fair that lawyers work that way.
And if something is being done in a certain way it does not mean that it has to go on like that or that it cannot change. You don't have to accept it just because it is working that way.

[exitseven]

InAmerica you are free to shop for a different t lawyer or try and negotiate a better deal

[foxsquirrell]

So what if you are FREE to shop? Free as you might be it will not help you if lawyers are in collusion to one degree in another. This freedom is a bit of an illusion to say the least. The idea that you are free might make people feel good, but in reality it does not help them. They are still abused, and taken advantage of.

[DrPepper12]

They take all the risk. They deserve 1/3!!

[foxsquirrell]

What risk?

[DrPepper12]

They put their labor in for no guaranteed payout.

[foxsquirrell]

What are you talking about man? They can ask to be paid their rate from their client up front. If he does not have money to pay their rate then they can find another client. There are plenty.

[DrPepper12]

Civil torts vs criminal are different

[foxsquirrell]

But why should the lawyer be paid on the bases of commission in one and not the other?

[DrPepper12]

I don't know some crimes are hourly some are commission

[foxsquirrell]

So why did you first try to justify lawyers taking commission by saying that they take all the risk if all you have to say now is that some are hourly and some get commission? You should have said that you don't know from the start in that case, and save all this back and forth messages.

[jamesgoldman]

That's standard, highs to cover the lows

[foxsquirrell]

They can have a rate if they want a standard. The highs they are gaining are enough to cover multiple life times of expenses my friend. I don't understand why ordinary people are not one voice against the oppressors of society.

[jamesgoldman]

Problem is you need those highs to fund the amount of work involved in no win no fee cases that often fail