attorney fees
Definition
Attorney fees are the money you pay a lawyer for their professional services, which can be structured as an hourly rate, a flat fee, or a percentage of any money you win. In most U.S. legal disputes, each side pays their own lawyer regardless of who wins, but certain contracts or laws can require the losing party to cover the winner's legal costs.
Example
If your business contract includes an attorney fees clause and a client refuses to pay you, you could potentially recover not just the money they owe you but also what you spent on a lawyer to collect it.
Watch Out
Always check your contracts for attorney fees clauses before signing, because agreeing to pay the other side's legal costs if you lose can turn a small dispute into a very expensive one.
See which terms appear in your contract?
This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.