attorney fee's?

Question

Is there a max. on % a attorney can request from a law suit and is it ethicnical for them to make loans on money due prior to a law suit. can the firm be reported for unethicnical practices in Michigan.

Answer 1

Dear Jazzy,

I recommend that you contact the Michigan Bar Association or the Attorney Grievance Commission, which links I've attached below, and ask them the best way to proceed on this.

-j.

Answer 2

While the ethical requirements vary by state, most states follow some variant of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

Under those rules, a contingency fee cannot be "unreasonable". What reasonable means is generally based on prevailing custom in the area, and the type of cast. At a ballpark, most consider anything under 40% to be reasonable. But few states have a maximum percentage exacted as law.

Under the ABA rules, a lawyer or firm may advance money for costs of litigation and similar expenses, but may not generally make a commercial loan with interest. This is because of the prohibition against financial or business interactions with a client.

Each state bar has opinions interpreting the ethical rules, and how they would be applied in state. One of the earlier posters provided the links.

Finally, you can always report a lawyer or firm for what you think are unethical practices. That doesn't always mean the actions really violated the ethical rules, however, or that anything will come of the complaint.

Answer 3

There is no maximum percentage, but it is unethical to charge "too much". What that amount is depends on the type of case, what the usual amount other attorneys charge, the attorney's expertise and how much time it will take to do the case. It is unethical to lend money to a client. Call the Michigan bar and ask if the attorney's actions are prohibited. the entire firm will probably not be responsible unless a supervising attorney knows about it and approves it.

Answer 4

The best person to answer this question is Perry Mason!