The most heroic lawyers aren’t the ones who work for corporations or defend high profile clients from criminal or civil suits. Rather, they are the lawyers who defend and protect the underdog and the little guy. These legal heroes are called plaintiff’s lawyers.
What is a Plaintiff’s Lawyer?
A plaintiff’s lawyer represents the party initiating and bringing the lawsuit. Plaintiff’s lawyers work with clients harmed by the negligence or unlawfulness of others. Often, they represent an individual or a group of people against powerful corporate or state interests.
There is a misperception that initiating a lawsuit is somehow unethical or unfair. But the reality is that plaintiff’s lawyers are heroes in the legal field, and there are several good reasons for that respected status:
They don’t get paid unless they win the case. Plaintiff’s lawyers often, though not always, work for on a contingency fee. A contingency fee means there are no upfront costs to the client, and the attorney will take their portion of the settlement (often a percentage) as agreed upon prior to starting the case. [1] This arrangement has two advantages for the client. The client doesn’t need to pay out of pocket or pay if they lose the case, and their lawyer is sure to work diligently to win or else they won’t get paid.
They represent people who have experienced unfair harm. Plaintiffs lawyers work for people with legitimate and real claims – not the fake, exaggerated ones popularized by the ambulance chaser stereotype. Their clientele often have severe injuries, illness, or a loss of livelihood that occurred because of someone else’s (an individual, corporation, government, etc.) negligence or unlawfulness. Sometimes, plaintiff’s lawyers will represent a whole group of people (class action lawsuit) who have all been unjustly harmed by another party.
Plaintiff’s lawyers fight for justice. Contrary to the perception that all plaintiff’s lawyers are personal injury specialists, they actually represent people in a wide range of fields. Plaintiff’s lawyers are often public interest lawyers fighting against employment discrimination, civil rights discrimination, and for consumer protection. They go against multinational corporations with teams of lawyers – and did we mention most of them don’t get paid unless they win?
They’re responsible for some big wins. Some of the most famous legal cases were initiated by plaintiff’s lawyers. For example, the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, Anderson v. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (popularized by the movie Erin Brockovich), and the BP Oil spill settlement are all suits brought, and won, by plaintiff’s lawyers. Thanks to these wins, victims received just compensation for the harm they suffered. Additionally, we have all benefited by the increased corporate transparency these law suits have inspired.
Plaintiff’s Lawyers Can Be Legal Heroes
By taking on important cases, plaintiff’s attorneys have helped make the world a better place. Plaintiff’s lawyers fight for the underdog, stand for justice and fairness, and work to ensure their clients get the compensation they deserve due to injury or discrimination from another party’s negligence or unlawfulness. They wear professional clothes instead of a cape, but they truly are legal heroes making sure the little guy has someone standing up for them.
If you could use some help from one of these legal heroes, reach out to the skilled attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas today at no cost to you we’re standing by to take your call!
