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contingent fee

American  

noun

  1. a fee paid to a lawyer conducting a suit, especially a suit for damages, in the event that the suit is successful and generally based on a percentage of the sum recovered.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Arbitration can keep plaintiffs from banding together into a class action, and in that way attracting a lawyer to take on their case for a large enough contingent fee.

From Slate Apr. 27, 2026

Attorney fees can be a trap. Whether you pay your attorney hourly or on a contingent fee basis, factor in the cost of your attorney when you’re addressing taxes.

From Forbes Jul. 6, 2015

Now of course there are valid reasons for a contingent fee arrangement and a 33% award if and when there is an award.

From Forbes Jun. 4, 2014

You might get someone to take the case on a contingent fee.

From Chicken Little Jane by Ritchie, Lily Munsell

The promise of a handsome contingent fee won't hurt M'liss's prospects any.

From The Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Tales With Condensed Novels, Spanish and American Legends, and Earlier Papers by Harte, Bret

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