What is Attorneys’ Fees?

Class action glossary term

Short Definition

Court-approved payment to class counsel for prosecuting the case, often paid from the settlement fund (especially in common-fund cases).

What It Means

In many class actions, lawyers are paid from the settlement fund and must request approval from the court. Courts review fee requests for reasonableness based on the case and the results achieved. Fees reduce the net amount available for class benefits.

Example

Example: A $10M fund where the court approves $2.5M in fees and $0.5M in costs.

Why It Matters

Fees affect your net recovery, so they’re a key part of any settlement’s economics.

Related Terms

Primary Source

Transparency

This class action term is explained for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Definitions and applications may vary by jurisdiction and case context.

To see how this term is applied in real cases, explore current and past class action settlements.

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