Attorneys Fees; Penalty

Attorney Fees; Penalty. (a) No attorney may charge, demand, receive, or collect for services rendered, fees (excluding costs) in excess of 25 percent of any compromise or settlement, if the case is settled prior to trial; 33-1/3 percent of any judgment, award, compromise or settlement obtained after trial; and 40 percent of any judgment, award, compromise or settlement after retrial or appeal; provided that the court may allow higher attorney fees in those cases where the attorney establishes to the satisfaction of the trial court judge, whose decision shall be final, that these limitations would be unjust. (b) Any attorney who charges, demands, receives, or collects for services rendered in connection with such claim any amount in excess of that allowed under subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Source: PL 3-51, § 3.