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Published byKellie Dorsey Modified over 9 years ago
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Overview and Negotiation of Special Fee Structures Reed S. Oslan, P.C., Partner
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Terminology Special Fee Arrangements “SFAs”
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THE LEGAL FEE PRICING MENU IS EXPANDING THROUGH SFAs
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The Special Fee Relationship Remains an Attorney/Client Relationship Risk Sharing Potential for Adversity Written Fee Agreement is a Contract Requires Case-by-Case Up Front Analysis Incentives Matter Goal - Strike Fair Balance of Risk and Reward for Firm and Client
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Fixed Fee Pre-determined Fee For Entire Matter(s) – e.g. $1 Million for Defense of Contract Action – Paid Up Front or Over Time – Fee Set by Negotiation Between Client and Law Firm – Scoping and Budgeting Critical
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Fixed Fee – Client Perspective Pros – Certainty – Risk Above $1 Million Shifts to Law Firm – Eliminates Budget Killer – Administrative No Need to Track Time or Bills No Need to Supervise Staffing
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Fixed Fee – Client Perspective Cons – Might Overpay Versus Hourly Billing – No Economic Alignment to Result – Poor Pricing Could be Problematic
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Fixed Fee – Law Firm Perspective Pros – Certainty of Fee – Possibility of Earning a Premium for Efficiency – Addressing Client Concern - Relationship Building – Administrative Benefits Less Client Pressure re: Staffing, Time No Billing
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Fixed Fee – Law Firm Perspective Cons – Fixed Fee Is Too Low – Fee Might be too High and Might Damage Client Relationship
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Fixed Fee – Strategic Considerations Pair With Result-Oriented Payment for Optimal Alignment Consider Risk/Reward Sharing Make Sure Fee Is Reasonable
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Fee Cap Law Firm Bills Hourly Until Hits the Cap - up to $1M Same as Fixed Fee but No Guaranteed Payment No Economic Incentive Below the Cap - for Efficiency No Result-Oriented Alignment Pair with Risk/Reward Sharing
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Contingent Fees Law Firm Invests Fee and Payment Is Contingent on Outcome of the Matter Plaintiff and Defense Cases Can be 100% Contingent or Partially Contingent
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Contingent Fees – Client Perspective Pros – 100% Fee Risk Shifts to Law Firm – Budget Relief – Law Firm 100% Aligned with Client re: Outcome – No Billing or Staffing Concerns
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Contingent Fees – Client Perspective Cons – Fee Could be Well in Excess of Hourly Fee – Law Firm May Require Greater Control Over Strategy
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Contingent Fees – Law Firm Perspective Pros – Expand Firm Business by Sharing Risk – Substantial Economic Incentive/Upside – Alignment with Client re: Billing/Staffing
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TAKEAWAYS WE ARE IN A PERIOD OF DRAMATIC CHANGE SFAs ARE EMERGING AS NEW MENU ITEMS CLIENTS AND LAW FIRMS SHOULD EMBRACE SFAs, AS THEY ARE HERE TO STAY
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