Employment Attorney Fee Structures

Employment attorneys use several fee structures: contingency (33–40% of recovery, you pay nothing if you lose — most common for discrimination and wrongful termination), hourly ($250–$500/hour — common for complex cases or when contingency isn't available), flat fee (for specific tasks like reviewing a severance agreement, typically $500–$2,000), and hybrid (reduced hourly rate plus smaller contingency).

For wage claims, attorneys often take cases on contingency because fee-shifting laws allow them to recover fees from the employer if you win..