Screen an outcome-based fee against Rule 1.5(c) and (d)
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- Say whether the draft makes the fee depend on the outcome, and whether the matter is one of the domestic-relations outcomes or the criminal defence that paragraph (d) names. Do not approve the fee.
- What the lawyer must review
- You decide whether this fee may be contingent. Rule 1.5(c) permits a fee contingent on the outcome of the matter except in a matter where a contingent fee is prohibited by paragraph (d) or other law. Paragraph (d)(1) bars a fee in a domestic relations matter the payment or amount of which is contingent upon securing a divorce or upon the amount of alimony or support, or a property settlement in lieu of that. Paragraph (d)(2) bars a contingent fee for representing a defendant in a criminal case. Comment [6] says paragraph (d) does not preclude a contingent fee for representation to recover post-judgment balances due under support, alimony, or other financial orders. Comment [3] says a contingent fee remains subject to the reasonableness standard in paragraph (a), and that applicable law may impose a ceiling on the percentage or require the lawyer to offer an alternative basis. These pages do not prohibit calculating a fee from the outcome outside paragraph (d) and other law, and they state no civil penalty. The tool does not decide that other law allows the fee.
- 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.
- 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.