Flat as a PancakeGoing flat

In the last post, I reviewed the plusses and minuses of the hourly fee, which I said still strides the world of high-stakes litigation like a Colossus.

But a distinctive trait of the hourly fee — its extreme concentration of risk on the client — limits its appeal and threatens its longevity.

A few weeks ago, Blawgletter read an article about the down-side of making a contingent fee deal with a lawyer.  

The item said that the arrangement creates a conflict of interest.  The lawyer, it said, wants to settle fast because he or she may earn a big fee for doing little work while the client

Even in a strong economy, clients – you – should look at ways to get the most value from your lawyer's services. That starts with picking the right lawyer, of course, but aligning your interests with him or her matters a lot, too.

Different fee arrangements create different incentives. An hourly engagement tends to give