(a) A lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses. The factors to be considered in determining the reasonableness of a fee include the following: (1) The time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly;(2) The likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer;(3) The fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services;(4) The amount involved and the results obtained;(5) The time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances;(6) The nature and length of the professional relationship with the client;(7) The experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services; and(8) Whether the fee is fixed or contingent.(b) The scope of the representation and the basis or rate of the fee and expenses for which the client will be responsible shall be communicated to the client, preferably in writing, before or within a reasonable time after commencing the representation, except when the lawyer will charge a regularly represented client on the same basis or rate. Any changes in the basis or rate of the fee or expenses shall also be communicated to the client.(c) A fee may be contingent on the outcome of the matter for which the service is rendered, except in a matter in which a contingent fee is prohibited by paragraph (d) or other law. A contingent fee agreement shall be in writing, signed by the client, and shall state, in boldface type that is at least as large as the largest type used in the contingent fee agreement:(1) The method by which the fee is to be determined, including the percentage or percentages that shall accrue to the lawyer in the event of settlement, trial or appeal;(2) Whether litigation and other expenses are to be deducted from the recovery, and whether such expenses are to be deducted before or after the contingent fee is calculated;(3) Whether the client is liable for expenses regardless of outcome;(4) That, in the event of a loss, the client may be liable for the opposing party's attorney fees, and will be liable for the opposing party's costs as required by law; and(5) That a suit brought solely to harass or to coerce a settlement may result in liability for malicious prosecution or abuse of process. Upon conclusion of a contingent fee matter, the lawyer shall provide the client with a written statement stating the outcome of the matter and, if there is a recovery, showing the remittance to the client and the method of its determination.
(d) A lawyer shall not enter into an arrangement for, charge, or collect:(1) Any fee in a domestic relations matter, the payment or amount of which is contingent upon the securing of a divorce or upon the amount of alimony or support, or property settlement in lieu thereof; or(2) A contingent fee for representing a defendant in a criminal case.(e) A division of a fee between lawyers who are not in the same firm may be made only if: (2) The client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing; and(3) The total fee is reasonable.Added effective 5/1/2006.