Does a 40% contingency fee seem normal here? The article makes it seem like this didn't escalate past sending a strongly worded extortion letter. Is it normal f

Does a 40% contingency fee seem normal here? The article makes it seem like this didn't escalate past sending a strongly worded extortion letter. Is it normal for lawyers to take such a huge cut for something that never went to court? Also, how could this have ever gone to a civil suit? From the sound of it, the letter detailed a bunch of shady, illegal things that Uber was doing but the plaintiff wouldn't have had standing for that would he?