Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Monday, April 14. 2008

Joke du Jour

Stolen from Conspiracy's jokes:

Three executives convicted under anti-trust law were sitting at the same table in the prison cafeteria. The first said, "I charged more than others and was convicted of price-gouging."

The second said, "I charged less than others and was convicted of predatory pricing."

The third said, "I charged exactly the same as everyone else and was convicted of collusion!"

Posted by The Barrister in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 10:08 | Comments (9) | Trackbacks (0)

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The Mike Munger interviews over at econtalk.org are all entertaining

http://www.econtalk.org/archives/_featuring/mike_munger/index.html

the one on price gouging being

http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2007/01/munger_on_price_1.html

My favorites are the fair trade and recycling ones.
#1 Ron Hardin (Link) on 2008-04-14 11:33 (Reply)
Thanks!
#1.1 The B. on 2008-04-14 11:45 (Reply)
A Question for anyone in the community:

When negotiating with an attorney for legal services, at what point does the question of percentage of settlement become a reasonable option?

What is the typical percentage?

Is there an ethical issue with this fee/settlement arrangement?
Thank you
#2 apple pie on 2008-04-14 12:02 (Reply)
We've just entered into a representation by an attorney due to a car accident. (Medical expenses alone may exceed $50,000.)

After introductory pleasantries, we asked about our options, our case, how much the settlement may be and the fee. The attorney said the customary fee, and his, is a third. However, I also said, in writing, in the agreement that if a settlement is reached early and easily, WE decide how much to pay him on a hourly representation basis.

That arrangement sounded just fine with us and we signed on.
#2.1 PeterGunn on 2008-04-14 16:47 (Reply)
AP,

Why not negotiate that she pay you just because she's a lawyer.

It has been my experience that lawyers scoff at all things ethical.
#3 Meta on 2008-04-14 12:39 (Reply)
Person A: You know, lawyers are assholes.
Person B: I take offense to that remark!

Person A: Why, are you a lawyer?
Person B: No, I'm an asshole.

My dad, a practicing attorney for decades, received a Father's Day card from me with this exchange on it back in 1996. It's still taped to their fridge.

Just because you're an asshole, though, doesn't mean you're unethical. There are plenty of ethical lawyers out there.
#4 kab on 2008-04-14 15:22 (Reply)
Cute joke.
Fact is, I know plenty of scrupulously honest lawyers. It all depends on strength of spine.
#5 BD on 2008-04-14 17:15 (Reply)
Thanks folks--your insights are welcome. Question for Peter Gunn (and yes, I do remember): how is it possible for you to decide what to pay if the case is settled early? I don't quite understand the message. Please explain: is it that you can agree to his hourly charges that he presents to you, or you can choose a percentage?

BD: You are correct--it takes back bone. You'd be surprised at nice, "honest" attorneys out there who don't have the courage to do the job. The other terrifying thing is that in some states the judges wives and legal secretaries are so united behind the scenes that nothing gets done in court. The information becomes public knowledge thanks to the secretaries, and the judge's wives have a power base of their own.
#6 apple pie on 2008-04-14 20:22 (Reply)
We wrote an addendum to the contingency agreement that "I would decide how much to pay (attorney's name).

I don't know what we may or may not use as a guideline, at this time, as it is dependent upon how easy the case is (ie: the other insurance company may just offer their limits).
It will depend on time spent on the case, probably an agreed upon hourly rate.
#7 PeterGunn on 2008-04-14 20:30 (Reply)

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