Legal Question in Employment Law in California
Going to Trial
(1) What is the average amount of time an attorney needs to prepare for a simple wrongful termination trial?
(2) How long is a typical wrongful termination trial?
(3) Is it better to pay the attorney on a contingency basis or at the attorney's hourly rate ($400) for a wrongful termination case which may go to trial?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Going to Trial
Each case is different. Usually, a trial takes at least 10 days. Depending on the confidence your lawyer has in the case, usually these cases are taken on a contingency basis. 40% is not unreasonable. At the same time, it often makes sense to settle these kinds of cases short of trial because of the emotional toll and time it takes on you and everyone else. It depends, of course, on what the offer is.