Have legal questions? Justia Ask A Lawyer lets you get free answers to your legal questions from experienced attorneys. Whether you need guidance on family law, criminal defense, personal injury, immigration, employment law, real estate, or another legal matter, you can ask your questions anonymously and get the answers you need.
Justia Ask A Lawyer
Free Answers From Lawyers to Your Legal Questions!
View Questions by Practice Area
View Questions by State
Lawyers, Answer Questions & Get Points
Log In
Recent Questions & Answers
Q: Can a law firm take more than a client in a settlement in Maryland?
I recently settled a wrongful death case in Maryland, and I noticed that the law firm ended up receiving more money from the settlement than I did. I believe I may have signed a contingency fee agreement, but I'm not certain of the exact terms. Is it normal or legally permissible for a law... View More 
Mark Oakley
answered on Aug 4, 2026
answered on Aug 4, 2026
Ask the lawyer for a copy of the contingent fee agreement you signed (there must be one—it’s part of the Professional Rules of Conduct). You are also entitled to an accounting of how the proceeds recovered in the action were paid out, and how your payment was calculated. Ask for that. If you... View More
Q: Can a law firm take more than a client in a settlement in Maryland?
I recently settled a wrongful death case in Maryland, and I noticed that the law firm ended up receiving more money from the settlement than I did. I believe I may have signed a contingency fee agreement, but I'm not certain of the exact terms. Is it normal or legally permissible for a law... View More
Adam Michael Smallow
answered on Aug 6, 2026
answered on Aug 6, 2026
The answer to your question quite simply is: Yes. There is no ethical regulation or otherwise that prevents a lawyer's fee from exceeding his or her client's recovery. As long as you signed a contingency fee agreement at the start of your case and reviewed and approved a settlement (or... View More
Q: Can a law firm take more than a client in a settlement in Maryland?
I recently settled a wrongful death case in Maryland, and I noticed that the law firm ended up receiving more money from the settlement than I did. I believe I may have signed a contingency fee agreement, but I'm not certain of the exact terms. Is it normal or legally permissible for a law... View More
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Aug 22, 2026
answered on Aug 22, 2026
Maryland rules governing attorneys require that attorneys fees be reasonable. The relevant Rule for attorney fees is Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 19-301.5. (formerly Rule 1.5)
Contingency fees are special sorts of fee arrangements because the attorney risks that they may work... View More
Q: How can I report sexual harassment by my boss in Louisiana without HR? Planning to resign.
In Louisiana, I've encountered a concerning situation with my boss. I have a camera in my office that has captured over 10 instances of him either groping or touching himself just out of my view, obstructed by my monitors. He once hand-picked flowers for me and frequently stands very close,... View More
PREMIUM
Garret DeReus
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 4, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 4, 2026
Disclaimer: I am not your attorney, and nothing here creates an attorney-client relationship or constitutes legal advice specific to your situation.
What you have described may constitute sexual harassment under federal and Louisiana law. Generally speaking, employees have the ability to... View More
Q: How can I revise my will and trust to ensure my grandchildren's future inheritance?
I am seeking help to review and revise my will and trusts, which were initially created over 20 years ago in very complicated legal language. I need these documents translated into plain English so I can fully understand them and make necessary updates. My primary concern is ensuring that my... View More
Leslie Margolies
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 3, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 3, 2026
If you have not reviewed or revised your estate plan in over 20 years then you are long overdue. Typically we suggest a review every three years. Family structure changes. State Law changes. Tax laws change. Needs change. Even the world has changed and their risks now we could not have imagined... View More
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
