A contingency fee is the sum of money that a lawyer receives as a fee only if the case is won. This means that rather than billing the client for their work, they only get paid if successful in obtaining an award or settlement – commonly ranging between 30-40% of what is recovered. However, this percentage can be higher or lower depending on different factors throughout the case and must be agreed upon prior to representation, according to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.
