To learn more about what we do and how we do it, click on the links below:

Alternative Fee Arrangements- A Smart Approach To Litigation

Schopf & Weiss has been at the forefront of the shift away from traditional legal billing practices. Since the firm was founded more than twenty years ago, Schopf & Weiss has offered its clients alternatives to the billable hour. Through alternative fee arrangements, Schopf & Weiss can provide value and flexibility to address our clients' needs.

Types of Alternative Fee Arrangements

Schopf & Weiss will consider all of the following alternative fee arrangements for appropriate matters:

Fixed Fees: Schopf & Weiss handles matters or groups of matters on a “fixed fee” basis. As the name suggests, a fixed fee arrangement provides a set fee for a pre-determined scope of work. This can be for an entire case, or for separate segments such as a motion to dismiss. That fee covers all fees incurred throughout the litigation or for the specific work. Fixed fees work well for particular phases of a litigation when it is unclear how far the case will progress. Fixed fees are good options for clients who need to be able to precisely budget for their legal costs.

Monthly Fee: Schopf & Weiss also offers its clients the option of paying a set monthly fee for work performed on a matter or group of matters. These can be a set amount per month or can include catch-up provisions at a later date. Monthly fees allow a client to accurately budget for their legal costs, and also avoid substantial up front payments at the outset of litigation.

Fixed Fees For Limited Engagements: Fixed fees are especially appropriate when the firm is retained to handle a limited aspect of a lawsuit. For example, the firm will offer a fixed fee for its work on an initial analysis of facts and law, for a trial, or for an appeal.

Partial Contingency: Schopf & Weiss has substantial experience in offering partial contingency fee arrangements whereby the firm handles a matter at a reduced rate, but shares in a favorable recovery or resolution. Partial contingency arrangements reduce legal expenses during the course of a matter, and provide a mechanism for the firm to share litigation risk with the client.

Full Contingency: In appropriate cases, Schopf & Weiss will consider deferring its fees entirely, and agreeing to receive a portion of the client’s ultimate recovery. The firm takes only a small portion of its cases on a full contingency basis. In our experience, one of the other alternative fee arrangements better aligns the interests of the client and firm.

The above types of fees can be utilized separately, or sometimes in combination.

The list includes many of the more common types of alternative fee arrangements, but Schopf & Weiss is willing to consider additional fee structures. Please contact Jason Rosenthal at (312) 701-9349 if you have any questions regarding alternative fee arrangements.