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This question is about lawyer salaries.
How are lawyers paid?
The pay for lawyers varies greatly, but it can be a flat fee, hourly, retainer, or on a contingency fee basis. Lawyers are almost always paid one of these four ways. The method of payment depends on the specific lawyer, their reputation, their preference, and what works for the client and their specific case.
Depending on the case, some lawyers request to be paid a flat-fee rate. This means that no matter the time spent on a case, they receive the same amount of money. Some lawyers, especially with more complex cases, choose to be paid by the hour. This means they have a set hourly rate and are paid based on how many hours they spend working a particular case.
Some lawyers, especially in cases where a payout is expected, may work on retainer. This is where a lawyer is paid a portion of what they are owed at the beginning, and then they are paid the rest once the case is complete.
Similar to a retainer, a contingency fee is a type of payment where the lawyer is paid only if the case is won. If the case is won, the lawyer receives a percentage, typically around 33%, of the client's total winnings.
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