Hawaii Contingent Fee Contract to Employ Attorney with Retainer and Hourly Fee in Case Representation is Terminated In Hawaii, when someone requires legal representation for a case, they have the option to enter into a contingent fee contract with an attorney. This type of contract is ideal for individuals who may not have the upfront funds to hire legal counsel or prefer not to pay hourly fees. A contingent fee contract in Hawaii allows the attorney's payment to be contingent upon the outcome of the case. Under this arrangement, the attorney agrees to work on the case without charging any upfront fees or retainer. Instead, they will receive a percentage of the client's recovery, whether it is through a settlement or a successful trial verdict. This type of payment structure ensures that the attorney only gets compensated if they achieve a favorable outcome for the client. However, in some cases, clients may opt for an attorney with a combination of a retainer and hourly fee, even if the representation is terminated before the conclusion of the case. This means that a client will pay an initial retainer fee to retain the services of the attorney. Additionally, the attorney will charge an hourly rate for the time spent working on the case. It is important to note that if a client decides to terminate the attorney's representation before the case concludes, the terms of the contract may dictate the financial obligations for both parties. Some contingent fee contracts with a retainer and hourly fee may allow the client to be responsible for any outstanding fees up to the time of termination, such as the attorney's hourly rate for the work completed. Different types of contingent fee contracts that may be employed in Hawaii include: 1. Pure Contingent Fee Contract: Under this type of agreement, the attorney only gets paid if they successfully recover compensation for the client. If there is no financial recovery, the attorney does not receive any payment. 2. Contingent Fee Contract with a Retainer: This variation allows the attorney to charge an initial retainer fee to cover costs associated with the case, such as filing fees, investigations, expert witnesses, or travel expenses. The attorney will still receive a percentage of the client's recovery on top of the retainer fee. 3. Hybrid Contingent Fee Contract with Hourly Rates: This type of agreement combines both a retainer and an hourly fee structure. The client pays an upfront retainer fee, and the attorney charges an additional hourly rate for the time spent working on the case. The attorney may or may not receive a contingent fee from the client's recovery, depending on the specific terms of the contract. In conclusion, a Hawaii contingent fee contract with a retainer and hourly fee provides clients with the flexibility to choose an attorney payment structure that suits their needs. It's crucial for both parties to thoroughly review and understand the terms of the contract, particularly in case representation is terminated before the conclusion of the case.