The Microsoft Case I mentioned recently, according to rumor, was taken on contingency. This means that the firm representing the plaintiff, who won a judgment of $520 million, will receive about a third of that money.

One might estimate that each lawyer of that firm could make over $10 million from this case alone, if it were divided evenly. Pretty astounding. But the plaintiff gained immeasurably as well. The plaintiff was able to sue the Microsoft behemoth and win, without putting up much of their own money, and therefore with very little risk. The law firm took a gamble that paid off handsomely.

Moral of the story: remember when you have legal problems that you may be able to get a firm to take your case on contingency.