Attorney Fees in Class Action Lawsuits

In class action lawsuits – where a group of people with similar claims sues a defendant in a single lawsuit – attorneys are paid on a contingency basis. Different from an hourly fee, a contingency fee is paid only if and when a case is successful. The contingency fee is usually a percentage of the money recovered at trial or settlement. If the case is lost, there is no fee.

Class action lawsuits are unique, with their own set of court rules and requirements. The judge is more involved in the beginning stages of a case, for example, and not every case is allowed to become a class action. It’s important to have an attorney who has taken on class actions before and understands the differences. Because attorney fees in class action cases are based on the end result, you can afford to hire the best attorney you can find, which in our opinion is one with years of experience and a track record of success.

We recommend Illinois class action attorneys and provide people with information on class actions. If you think you might have a class action, you can call our office and talk to one of our attorneys about your situation. If you decide you want to move forward, we will recommend an Illinois attorney who we think is the best person to handle your case. We promise to be upfront and honest about how it all works, including how attorney fees are usually calculated.

In class action suits, a lawyer’s fee is determined by the judge on a case-by-case basis and can vary greatly. Rather than following a set formula, the judge considers the amount of work that the case required, the nature of the case, the amount recovered and the risk involved. This is different from individual lawsuits, where contingency fees are typically 1/3 of the recovery and are agreed upon between lawyer and client.

Among the many parties involved in a class action lawsuit, there is usually a lead plaintiff and a lead attorney who represents the class and does the majority of the work. The lead attorney’s fee is paid out of the money recovered on behalf of the entire group, before it is divided among the members of the class.

Attorney fees in class action lawsuits are often higher than fees in cases where an individual client is paying. This is considered a reward for the risks of taking on such a large case. These risks include paying all the costs of the case upfront, working for free while the case is pending, and the possibility of getting no fee at all if the case is unsuccessful.

Because class action attorneys work on a contingency basis, you should be able to consult with an attorney for free to discuss your case and ask questions. If you would like to talk to an Illinois attorney with extensive experience in class action lawsuits, please contact us for a free and confidential referral. Every Illinois class action law firm that we recommend has a strong track record of success. We promise to work with you to connect you with the right firm for your case.