Judge Refuses $100,000 Lawyer Bonus

A Superior Court judge has recently ruled that a seasoned defense attorney, who sued a client for a $100,000 performance bonus after he was acquitted of drug charges, is entitled to only $20,000.

The client, unidentified, came from a very wealthy family with deep political ties. He had already shelled out $52,000 in legal fees, and was ready to pay an additional $12,000. But he drew the line when he saw the $100,000 bill. There was apparently some sort of agreement between the lawyer and client regarding a bonus, but no amount was specified beforehand. And this is what the judge took issue with.

In the judge’s words:

Le boni de 100 000 $ est un montant très important qui représente près du double des honoraires déjà facturés. Si M^e D… le considérait raisonnable, il aurait dû le négocier avec Monsieur C….  Celui-ci aurait pu alors décider de l’accepter ou encore ne pas retenir les services de M^e D… ou cesser de les retenir.  Or, Monsieur C… a été placé devant un fait accompli.  Il est informé du montant du boni une fois que le dossier est terminé.  L’exemple donné à Monsieur C… du montant d’un boni pour des accusations de facultés affaiblies (5 000 $) ne lui permet pas de comprendre que M^e D… lui réclamera un boni de 100 000 $.  Cet exemple ne peut permettre à M^e D… de raisonnablement présumer que son client est informé du montant du boni.

What this comes down to is simply the importance, and in fact the ethical obligation, for a lawyer to charge fees which are fair, reasonable, and correspond to the professional services rendered. Moreover, a lawyer should always ensure that his client has all the useful information regarding the nature and financial terms of the services, before agreeing to provide any services to the client. Transparency and communication are essential.

Before hiring a lawyer, always make sure to discuss financial terms. Don’t be shy, ask questions, and leave no room for confusion. A good lawyer will ensure that legal fees are outlined clearly. 

If you’ve been convicted of a crime, call Ginzburg Legal in Montreal to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.

Ginzburg Legal
405 Rue Marie-Morin
Montréal QC
H2Y 2Y1
(514) 710-6749

Here’s a link to the decision, for those who wish to read it in detail.