Pro Bono vs Contingency Fee Lawyer: What’s The Difference?

If you’re in a situation where you need immediate legal help, the options can feel both limited and overwhelming.

The mental and physical trauma and the financial strain caused by legal situations often prevent you from affording or even considering the aid of an hourly attorney.

Your two most accessible options for free legal counsel are contingency fee lawyers and pro bono lawyers, but what is a contingency lawyer, what does pro bono mean, and what’s the difference between them?

Here’s the Difference Between a Pro Bono Lawyer and a Contingency Fee Lawyer:

A pro bono lawyer offers legal services for free, often as charity or via organizations that work within their community. A contingency fee lawyer doesn’t charge upfront, taking a fixed percentage of the settlement money they win for their client.

A pro bono attorney is a good choice if you’re indigent or financially needy and going through a civil case like a divorce. If you’ve recently experienced personal injury, you’re likely fighting with an insurance company that wants to deny you coverage or is offering a settlement that covers only a fraction of your medical bills. Hiring a contingency fee firm like Zinda Law Group is a great option, as it doesn’t cost a thing unless you win.

That said, both pro bono and contingency fee agreements vary depending on where you live and which firm or organization you work with. Let’s dive into the details of each type of lawyer so you know what to expect and which is the ideal choice for your situation.

John (Jack) Zinda

Founder / CEO

Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.

Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation

What Is a Contingency Fee Lawyer?

A contingency fee lawyer offers legal assistance without charging upfront fees. Instead, you sign a contingency fee agreement where the payment amount depends on the case’s outcome. Typically, the lawyer doesn’t get paid unless you win.

A contingency fee agreement is what a contingency fee lawyer uses to guarantee payment once they settle the case—you pay your lawyer a fixed percentage of the settlement money.

That said, contingency fee agreements can vary. For example, an attorney may agree to take a smaller percentage of the final settlement but charge an hourly rate. Another lawyer may bill you for their court costs and other expenses if they lose.

Before you hire a contingency fee lawyer, find out how they calculate their fee and what other costs you may be responsible for. The percentage your contingency attorney charges may vary depending on the type of case and the agreement you sign, with 35%-45% being the industry average.

We also suggest asking how the contingency fee lawyer recoups the expenses they incur on your behalf and if you’ll have to pay them back if you lose your case. For example, at Zinda Law Group, you won’t pay us anything unless we win.

We’ll talk more about that later. First, let’s discuss who qualifies for a contingency fee agreement and when a contingency lawyer is the ideal choice.

Neil Solomon

Partner

Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.

Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation

Who Qualifies For a Contingency Fee Agreement?

You qualify for a contingency fee agreement if you have a legally valid claim for compensation against someone who caused you harm or loss.

If you’re facing a difficult situation that requires legal help, you may not have the money to pay a lawyer upfront. Still, seeking monetary compensation from those who hurt you is your right, and it is what a contingency fee lawyer is there for.

However, lawyers can’t take just any cases on a contingency fee basis. Contingency fee lawyers only accept cases with a reasonable chance of success and a potential for recovery.

Contingency lawyers also consider the risks and benefits of taking your case, such as the complexity, duration, and expenses involved. Therefore, a contingency attorney will carefully screen your case before agreeing to represent you.

Zinda Law Group can guide you through this process from the beginning, starting with a free consultation.

Jason Aldridge

Attorney

Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.

Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation

What is a Contingency Fee Lawyer Used For?

Contingency lawyers are common in civil cases, such as personal injury, mass tort, wrongful death, and product liability. If you’re seeking monetary compensation for damages caused by another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, a contingency fee lawyer is what we recommend.

The benefits of using a Contingency fee attorney include–

• providing access to justice for clients who cannot afford to pay hourly fees for legal representation.
• aligning the interests of the clients and the lawyers, incentivizing you and your lawyer to achieve a favorable outcome.
• shifting the risk of losing the case from the client to the lawyer, who bears the cost of expenses and time.
• encouraging swift and quality legal services, as payment upon success motivates contingency lawyers to work hard and avoid unnecessary delays.

Insurance companies are always scheming to pay the lowest amount they can get away with. When you hire a contingency fee attorney, you and your lawyer share the same goal—the best possible outcome for your case.

Contingency lawyers work hard to prove your argument against the stingy insurance company lawyers. We make our money by negotiating a rightful settlement or securing a reasonable jury verdict.

A contingency lawyer will cover the costs of preparing and pursuing your case, such as filing fees, expert witnesses, and investigations–at Zinda Law Group, we recuperate our expenses once we settle your case.

Again, ask about the agreement beforehand to ensure you don’t owe anything unless the attorney resolves your case. For now, let’s talk about the meaning of pro bono and when a pro bono lawyer is the right option.

Cole Gumm

Attorney

We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.

Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation

What Is a Pro Bono Lawyer?

A pro bono lawyer offers legal services for free, usually as a form of charity or social responsibility, to clients who cannot afford a lawyer or to organizations that work with people in need. Pro bono cases often focus on social causes, such as human rights, immigration, welfare, or domestic violence.

Still, a lawyer working in any area of law can work a case for free and be considered a pro bono lawyer.

Pro bono attorneys may work independently or through their law firms. They often contract through organizations that provide legal aid or match lawyers with indigent clients.

• The American Bar Association recommends that lawyers do a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono work per year.
• Pro bono work is considered a moral and professional obligation for lawyers.
• Lawyers sometimes take a case pro bono to improve their skills and reputation.
• Different states have different requirements or incentives for offering pro bono legal services.

Origin of the Pro Bono Meaning

The pro bono meaning traces back to the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which means “for the public good.” Originally, the phrase described any professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment.

In an English context, pro bono commonly refers to legal services provided by lawyers for people who are unable to afford them.

Who Qualifies For Pro Bono Legal Aid?

The eligibility criteria for pro bono legal services vary depending on the type of case, the location, and the availability of pro bono lawyers in your area. There are numerous organizations that offer legal services pro bono, meaning they’ll pair individuals who can’t afford lawyers with attorneys who won’t charge them.

These non-profit community-based programs provide legal aid to poor and underrepresented communities as needed, particularly in civil or “non-criminal” cases.

• You have a constitutional right to ask the court to give you a free lawyer when charged with a crime that leads to jail time, provided you can prove you’re indigent and can’t afford one.
• However, in a civil case, such as a divorce or a lawsuit, you don’t typically have access to free legal assistance.
• In these civil situations, you may qualify for legal aid or a pro bono program offering free legal help for low-income clients or people in a specific circumstance.
• Legal aid offices have staff lawyers who specialize in helping poor clients, while pro bono programs have volunteer lawyers who offer free advice or representation.

What is a Pro Bono Lawyer Used For?

Pro bono attorneys allow marginalized clients to access justice and legal representation without paying for it. Lawyers offering pro bono services inspire equality, fairness, and human dignity in the communities they serve.

Pro bono lawyers are ideal if you face a legal or social issue affecting your rights, welfare, or safety but can’t afford a lawyer. However, pro bono lawyers are not always available or suitable for every case.

• Depending on the type and complexity of your case, you may have to wait for a long time on a list for pro bono services.
• Finding a pro bono lawyer to help you often requires a rigorous screening process before you’re accepted.
• Pro bono lawyers may not have the resources or expertise to handle cases that involve large monetary claims or disputes with powerful parties.

So, if a recent situation or personal injury left you or a loved one with significant medical bills, emotional trauma, and uncertainty about what to do next, a contingency lawyer is what you’re probably looking for.

Final Thoughts on How to Choose Between a Pro Bono Lawyer and a Contingency Fee Lawyer:

A contingency fee lawyer takes a percentage of your recovery money as payment. While a pro bono lawyer doesn’t expect any payment whether you win or lose, a contingency lawyer typically only gets paid if the outcome is favorable.

• Pro bono attorneys often focus on social issues and cases concerning marginalized communities.
• Contingency fee lawyers typically work in areas of law involving monetary claims, such as personal injury, disability, or employment discrimination.
• When choosing a lawyer for your case, there are other factors to consider, such as experience, reputation, communication skills, and availability.

If you need more information about pro bono or contingency fee lawyers or if you require the assistance of a personal injury attorney, contact Zinda Law Group now for a free consultation.

Zinda Law Group works on a contingency fee basis—you won’t pay us anything unless we win.

Our accident attorneys are here 24/7 to help you navigate the entire legal process. Don’t let the insurance companies kick you while you’re down—Zinda Law Group can help build you the strongest case possible to win an appropriate settlement while you focus on your recovery.