Partnering With the Business Trial Group is A “Win-Win” Relationship
The Business Trial Group is a team of experienced attorneys focused solely on contingency-fee business litigation. We regularly receive case referrals from all types of lawyers and law firms, including personal injury lawyers, transactional lawyers, probate lawyers, criminal lawyers, in-house counsel, and, most commonly, other commercial litigators. We also co-counsel cases with attorneys who want to remain more actively involved in the litigation.
The Business Trial Group presents a new financial opportunity for referring commercial litigation cases — one with significant potential benefits. If another lawyer or law firm refers us a business or securities case, we will share the contingency fee, in strict accordance with ethical and legal requirements, with the referring firm. We pride ourselves on maximizing our client’s recoveries and increasing our partners’ referral fees.
What you need to know about a referral or co-counsel relationship with the Business Trial Group:
1. You can get a referral fee on a business case.
The Business Trial Group believes that you should be compensated when you refer a commercial litigation client. The Florida Rules of Professional Conduct permit attorneys to receive referral fees on a contingency-fee recovery. Referral fees (a percentage of the attorneys’ portion of the contingency-fee recovery) can be substantial in business litigation cases, which generally have hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in controversy. Unlike traditional hourly corporate law firms, attorneys and law firms that refer a case to the Business Trial Group receive a percentage of the recovery, which presents an opportunity to generate previously untapped revenue.
2. You can refer all types of business litigation cases.
Business Trial Group attorneys are routinely referred a wide variety of commercial litigation claims including cases involving:
- Business Torts
- Breach of Contract
- Construction Litigation
- Eminent Domain
- Employment Litigation
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Legal and Accountant Malpractice
- Real Estate Litigation
- Securities Fraud and Mismanagement
- Shareholder and Partnership Disputes
- Wills, Trust and Estate Litigation
Even if your client’s business-related case is not listed here, our attorneys probably have experience in the relevant practice areas. If you are unsure whether the Business Trial Group accepts referrals of a particular type of case, contact us today to discuss your client’s case with one of our attorneys.
3. You can refer clients to us regardless of the stage of the litigation
Many clients are referred to the Business Trial Group when they are considering filing a lawsuit and our attorneys direct the litigation from the outset. It is also common for our business attorneys to become involved in a case during the course of the litigation. For instance, when clients become unable or unwilling to pay hourly attorneys’ fees in the midst of a lawsuit, we can complete the litigation on a contingency-fee basis. And due to our trial experience and ability to absorb the expense and risks of complex litigation, the Business Trial Group can be brought in to co-counsel during a particularly difficult stage of litigation or even on the eve of an arbitration or trial.
4. You will speak directly with our business attorneys and receive a prompt case analysis.
When you contact the Business Trial Group to refer a case, you will interact directly with our attorneys — not an assistant or paralegal. A business attorney will discuss your client’s case with you and confirm that we do not have a conflict. We will then obtain as much of the factual background as possible, review the pertinent records, meet with you and your client, and analyze the merits of the case. If we accept your client’s case, you and your client will sign an agreement that ensures you a percentage of the recovery in the case. And once the litigation begins, you will be kept fully informed on the progression of the case and receive regular status reports.
5. You and your client will be working with attorneys that get results.
The Business Trial Group’s practice and reputation was built on results. Our attorneys recover millions of dollars a year on behalf of contingency-fee business clients. In addition to numerous multi-million dollar settlements, we are also comfortable taking complex business cases to trial — a fact that is not overlooked by defense counsel. For example, in 2014, the Business Trial Group received jury verdicts of $15 million and $1.45 million in hard-fought commercial cases. Results like these benefit both our clients and our referral partners.
6. Our focus and service will make you look good.
When you refer a case to the Business Trial Group, your client will receive the work-product they have come to expect from a top-tier business firm. In fact, many of our attorneys honed their craft at prominent corporate law firms, including Greenberg Traurig, Baker Hostetler, Shutts & Bowen, Carlton Fields, and others. Your client’s case will not be handled by an attorney who dabbles in business law — our attorneys are career business lawyers whose practice is 100% dedicated to commercial litigation.
7. Your client’s case will have the support and resources to take on any opponent.
With the support of the more than 260 attorneys and 1400 staff of the largest contingency-fee law firm in the country, the Morgan & Morgan Business Trial Group has the resources to take on the most complex cases and well-funded adversaries. Our financial strength puts our referral clients on a level playing field with larger, wealthier opponents. We also assist our co-counsel partners by sharing the financial burden and time commitments of a complex case. The Business Trial Group can be your partner in navigating complex, high-stakes litigation, so that a potentially career-changing case does not slip away.
8. Your client relationship will be respected.
The Business Trial Group will honor the relationship between you and your client. Our firm only practices business litigation for plaintiffs on a contingency-fee basis. Because Morgan & Morgan does not handle hourly or defense litigation and has no transactional law practice, we have no incentive to “poach” your business clients. If you refer us a client, the relationship will be limited to the case that you referred. And should you and your client decide to engage the Business Trial Group for other litigation, you will receive a referral fee on those future cases.
9. You can refer cases anywhere in Florida and throughout the country.
The Business Trial Group accepts attorney referrals and litigates in all jurisdictions in Florida. From the firm’s 17 Florida offices, we maintain a home court advantage throughout the state, including Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, Naples, and Sarasota. From our offices in New York, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi, we also represent clients in other parts of the country. If you are unsure whether the Business Trial Group accepts referrals in a particular jurisdiction, contact us today to discuss your client’s case with one of our attorneys.
10. We will follow all ethical rules governing the sharing of contingency fees.
In any referral or co-counsel arrangement, we will take responsibility for following all procedures necessary to ensure compliance with the relevant ethical rules. In Florida, the payment of referral fees to lawyers is governed by Rule 4-1.5 of the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct. In compliance with this rule, your client will sign an agreement that explains: (1) that you and Morgan & Morgan are jointly responsible for the representation; and (2) the division of fees between the firms.
Let’s Start a Profitable Referral Relationship
Contact us today to speak with our commercial litigation team about an attorney referral or co-counsel relationship. Our experienced attorneys are happy to review and discuss your client’s case. Let us show you how a partnership with the Business Trial Group is a true “win-win” situation.