Check a contingent-fee writing for the contents Rule 1.5(c) requires
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- List which Rule 1.5(c) writing items are present, missing, or unclear in the draft the lawyer supplies. Do not add a percentage or redraft the agreement.
- What the lawyer must review
- You decide whether the writing complies. Rule 1.5(c) requires a contingent fee agreement to be in a writing signed by the client and to state the method by which the fee is determined, including the percentage or percentages that accrue to the lawyer in the event of settlement, trial, or appeal; the litigation and other expenses to be deducted from the recovery; and whether those expenses are deducted before or after the contingent fee is calculated. The agreement must clearly notify the client of any expenses for which the client will be liable whether or not the client is the prevailing party. Upon conclusion of a contingent fee matter, the lawyer shall provide a written statement stating the outcome and, if there is a recovery, showing the remittance to the client and the method of its determination. Comment [3] says the fee is still subject to Rule 1.5(a), and that applicable law may impose a percentage ceiling or require an alternative basis. These pages state no uplift cap. The tool does not fill in the percentages.
- Written for / version
- United States versionUS
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Potential support includes preparing preliminary structure or wording. Confirm the tool’s capability and permitted scope. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- Trace every relied-on figure to its source, confirm dates and assumptions, and independently recalculate totals or derived amounts.
- Review operative clauses in the complete document, including definitions, cross-references, schedules and inconsistencies with the instructions.
- Confirm that the wording reflects the client’s instructions and contains no unintended admission, concession or commitment. Check the recipient and tone.
- Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
- Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.