Contingency fees: should plaintiffs lawyers in the tobacco settlement receive billions of dollars?

Article Abstract:

The over $30 billion in contingency fees due the attorneys who negotiated the tobacco industry settlement has raised questions about the validity of the contingency fee agreements. One law professor feels that the attorneys took the risk of losing time and money on the case and so should receive the full amount, especially since it is within the federally mandated percentage range in the False Claims Act. Another law professor thinks attorneys should receive the full percentage for the first $10 million but that a lower fee should be paid for the work done after the case was no longer risky.

Ethical aspects, Tobacco industry, Contingency fees

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Attorneys oppose Social Security fee plan

Article Abstract:

Lawyers who represent Social Security disability claimants oppose a change proposed by the Clinton administration in how, and how much, attorneys may be paid. Nancy Shor, head of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives, says the change will drive private lawyers out of the process; the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies that, but says claimants can handle their own cases. The change, which three senators publicly oppose, would reduce the maximum fee from $4000 to $2500 and end direct payments from the SSA to the lawyers.

Social security, Disability insurance

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Those deadbeat blues: written fee agreements upfront can head off collection suits, malpractice countersuits

Article Abstract:

Attorneys need to include a written fee agreement as part of the engagement letter and have plans to address disputes should they occur to minimize the chance of having nonpaying clients. A collection suit to obtain the fees that were not paid can result in bad publicity or a countersuit for malpractice. Therefore, it is better to make the fees clear at the beginning of the relationship and use regular status reports to keep the client appraised of the work being performed.

Economic aspects, Practice of law, Attorney and client

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