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Contingent Fee Agreement
Free contingent fee agreement template — an attorney or professional is paid a percentage of the recovery only if the matter is won or settled.
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This free contingent fee agreement covers 1. Scope of Representation, 2. Contingent Fee, 3. Case Expenses, 4. No Recovery, No Fee, 5. Client's Right to Settle with 4 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for individuals and small businesses handling a straightforward legal document themselves needing a clear, professional document without commissioning custom legal drafting for a routine situation. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.
Contingent Fee Agreement
Attorney/Firm: [Name] · Client: [Name] · Date: [Date]
1. Scope of Representation
Attorney agrees to represent Client in connection with [Description of the matter — e.g. personal injury claim arising from [Incident]].
2. Contingent Fee
Attorney's fee will be [%] of any amount recovered by settlement, judgment, or otherwise, calculated [before/after] deduction of case expenses (specify which, as this significantly affects the client's net recovery).
3. Case Expenses
[State whether Client is responsible for case expenses (filing fees, expert witnesses, depositions) regardless of outcome, or only if there is a recovery.]
4. No Recovery, No Fee
If there is no recovery, Attorney's fee under this Agreement is [$0 / limited to reimbursement of expenses only, as described in Section 3].
5. Client's Right to Settle
Client retains the final decision on whether to accept any settlement offer.
6. Termination
[Describe how fees are calculated if Client terminates the representation before the matter concludes, or if Attorney withdraws.]
Attorney: ______________________ Date: ____________ Client: ______________________ Date: ____________
*This document is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contingent fee percentages and permitted case types are regulated by state bar rules — some states cap the percentage or prohibit contingent fees entirely in certain matters (e.g. most family law and criminal cases) — and a written agreement meeting your state's specific requirements is typically mandatory.*
Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.
What's included
- Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
- 6 standard sections: 1. Scope of Representation, 2. Contingent Fee, 3. Case Expenses, 4. No Recovery, No Fee, 5. Client's Right to Settle, 6. Termination
- 4 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
- Free to use — no account or signup required
- Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
- Includes a signature block, ready to print or sign digitally
- Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)
Who this template is for
Freelancers & solo founders
Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.
Small businesses
Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.
Anyone reviewing before signing
Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.
Before involving a lawyer
A solid starting draft to review with counsel, or to use directly for a low-stakes situation.
FAQ
Is this contingent fee agreement template really free?
Yes. Like every template in docstoc's library, this contingent fee agreement is free to use, with no account or signup needed to view, edit, or download it.
What does this contingent fee agreement cover?
This legal template includes 1. Scope of Representation, 2. Contingent Fee, 3. Case Expenses, 4. No Recovery, No Fee. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.
Is this legal advice?
No. Legal documents are exactly where a generic template is most likely to miss something that matters — the right structure, required disclosures, and even which clauses are enforceable all vary by state and situation. Use this as a starting point for a conversation with a licensed attorney, not a substitute for one.
Can I edit the wording?
Yes — edit directly on the page, adjust any section or clause, and re-fill the 4 placeholder fields to match your situation before downloading a PDF. It's a starting structure, not a rigid script.
Where can I find more free templates like this?
Browse more free legal and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.
More free document templates
- Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
- Demand Letter for Unpaid Invoice
- General Power of Attorney
- One-Way (Unilateral) NDA
- Corporate Bylaws
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Templates are drafted for general use, not a substitute for legal advice — check the note on each page for specifics.
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