Commercial Litigation Lawyers Handling Cases on Contingency
Have you been screwed over by another company in a commercial business dispute? Are you right, but the bigger bully company is planning to outspend you on lawyers and litigation costs? Did a traditional commercial law firm quote you a huge retainer just to get started? Are you right, but simply cannot afford to hire a lawyer by the hour?
Then you have landed on the right page.
If another company has wronged your business, but you cannot afford to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal fees, Clark Law Firm, PC may be able to help. In the right cases, we represent businesses and individuals on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
Clark Law Firm, PC has represented small and medium-sized businesses, executives, professionals, and individuals against larger companies on a contingency basis for years. The firm has recovered millions of dollars in commercial and employment litigation matters handled on contingency. Our fee comes out of the recovery, and if there is no recovery, no attorney fee is owed.
Because contingency litigation requires a substantial investment of time and resources, Clark Law Firm typically considers contingency representation only in matters involving significant financial harm, often several hundred thousand dollars or more.
Types of Commercial Cases We Handle on a Contingency Basis
Clark Law Firm can handle many types of commercial and business-related disputes on a contingency basis, including:
- partnership disputes
- breach of contract claims involving substantial unpaid obligations
- breach of shareholder agreements or operating agreements
- business divorce disputes between co-owners
- misappropriation of partnership or corporate funds
- breach of fiduciary duty by partners, officers, or directors
- fraud and misrepresentation in business transactions
- vendor or supplier disputes involving significant financial losses
- distributor or sales representative commission disputes
- unpaid profit-sharing or revenue-sharing agreements
- minority shareholder oppression and freeze-out claims
- tortious interference with contracts or business relationships
- joint venture disputes
- franchise disputes involving wrongful termination or violations of franchise agreements
- trade secret theft and unfair competition between businesses
- internal embezzlement or other financial misconduct
- business fraud and fraudulent inducement
- securities fraud and investor fraud involving private companies or business deals
- real estate investment fraud or partnership fraud in development projects
- misappropriation of confidential business information
- executive compensation disputes involving unpaid equity, profit shares, deferred compensation, commissions, or bonuses
- earn-out disputes in mergers and acquisitions transactions
- breach of asset purchase agreements or business sale agreements
- theft of corporate opportunities by partners, officers, or directors
- distributor or franchise termination disputes causing substantial financial losses
- interference with major contracts, customers, or business relationships
- insurance bad faith claims involving business losses
- large unpaid invoice or accounts receivable claims involving substantial sums
Employment-Related Cases We Also Handle on Contingency
Clark Law Firm also handles certain employment-related business disputes on a contingency basis, particularly where an employee, executive, salesperson, or other professional has been wrongfully treated by a company and suffered significant financial harm.
These cases may include:
- employment discrimination claims
- workplace retaliation claims
- whistleblower claims
- wrongful termination claims
- failure to pay commissions, bonuses, deferred compensation, or other earned compensation
- harassment and hostile work environment claims
In many employment cases, the law allows recovery of damages, lost wages, compensation, and other relief for unlawful workplace conduct.
Why Contingency Representation Levels the Playing Field
Large companies often assume that smaller businesses, professionals, or individuals will not pursue legitimate claims because litigation is expensive. Hourly legal fees can quickly reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, forcing many wronged parties to walk away from valid cases.
Contingency representation changes that dynamic. By handling a case on contingency, Clark Law Firm assumes the financial fee risk of the litigation and aligns its interests with the client. If we recover money for the client, we earn a fee. If there is no recovery, no attorney fee is owed. The client will however typically have to front the case costs.
This arrangement can level the playing field when a smaller business or individual needs to pursue justice against a larger, better-funded company.
When a Commercial Case May Qualify for Contingency Representation
Not every commercial dispute is suitable for contingency representation. Clark Law Firm carefully evaluates each matter before agreeing to pursue it on a contingency basis.
A case may be a strong candidate if:
- another company, partner, or business associate clearly breached a written agreement or legal duty
- you suffered substantial financial losses as a result of the wrongdoing
- there is strong documentary evidence, such as contracts, emails, text messages, financial records, or corporate documents
- the opposing party has the financial ability to pay a judgment or settlement
- the damages are large enough to justify the cost and risk of litigation
- the wrongdoing involves fraud, misrepresentation, fiduciary misconduct, diversion of profits, or theft of business opportunities
- an employer engaged in unlawful discrimination, retaliation, or other serious employment violations
Contingency representation is generally most appropriate in cases involving substantial damages and a realistic opportunity for recovery.
Can a Commercial Litigation Lawyer Work on Contingency?
Yes. In certain commercial disputes, a lawyer may agree to represent a client on a contingency fee basis rather than charging hourly legal fees.
However, not every case qualifies. Before accepting a commercial matter on contingency, a law firm typically evaluates:
- the strength of the legal claims
- the amount of provable damages
- the quality of the evidence
- whether the defendant has sufficient assets or insurance to satisfy a judgment or settlement
Because contingency litigation requires the law firm to invest substantial time and money with no guarantee of payment, contingency representation is typically reserved for cases with strong merit and significant damages.
What Is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee means the attorney fee is a percentage of the money recovered in the case, rather than an hourly fee.
In a contingency matter, the client does not pay ongoing hourly legal fees. If there is no recovery, no attorney fee is owed.
Litigation costs and expenses, where applicable, are discussed with the client before representation begins and are typically paid in advance by the client.
Millions Recovered in Commercial Litigation Matters
Clark Law Firm, PC has successfully represented businesses, executives, professionals, and/or individuals in complex commercial and employment litigation matters and has recovered millions of dollars for clients through settlements and judgments.
These disputes often involve high stakes, substantial financial losses, and aggressive defense strategies by well-funded companies. Clark Law Firm has experience pursuing claims involving fraud, breach of contract, partnership misconduct, fiduciary wrongdoing, discrimination, retaliation, and other serious business-related misconduct.
When appropriate, the firm is willing to take on the financial risk of litigation by representing clients on a contingency fee basis, aligning the firm’s interests with the client’s goal of recovering money for the harm that was caused.
New Jersey Commercial Litigation Lawyer on Contingency
From its offices in Belmar, Rutherford and Newark, New Jersey, Clark Law Firm, PC represents businesses, executives, professionals, and individuals in commercial litigation matters throughout New Jersey, including select cases handled on a contingency fee basis.
Contingency representation can be especially valuable in disputes involving breach of contract, partnership misconduct, business fraud, shareholder disputes, employment discrimination, executive compensation, and theft of business opportunities. In the right case, contingency representation allows a client to pursue a serious claim without paying hourly legal fees up front.
Frequently Asked Questions About Contingency Commercial Litigation
What percentage do contingency lawyers charge?
Contingency fees vary depending on the type of case, the complexity of the litigation, and whether the matter resolves through settlement or trial. The specific fee arrangement is discussed and agreed upon before representation begins.
Will I have to pay anything up front?
In contingency cases, clients generally do not pay hourly legal fees or a large retainer up front. In some matters, litigation expenses such as filing fees, expert costs, or deposition expenses may arise, and those issues are addressed before representation begins and typically paid by the client in advance.
Can any commercial case be handled on contingency?
No. Most commercial disputes are still handled on an hourly basis. Contingency representation is usually limited to cases involving significant damages, strong evidence, clear legal claims, and defendants who can satisfy a judgment or settlement.
How do I know if my case qualifies?
The best way to determine whether your matter may qualify is to have an attorney review the facts, documents, damages, and the likely ability to recover from the defendant. Clark Law Firm evaluates each matter individually.
Can employment discrimination cases be handled on contingency?
Yes. Many employment-related claims, including discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, and unpaid compensation matters, are commonly handled on a contingency basis where the facts and damages justify it.
Contact Clark Law Firm
If your business or career has suffered serious financial harm because of fraud, breach of contract, partnership misconduct, discrimination, retaliation, or other wrongful conduct, Clark Law Firm may be able to help.
Contact Clark Law Firm, PC to discuss whether your commercial or employment dispute may qualify for contingency representation.