> And then the client ultimately makes an individualized decision wheter we settle and on what terms. Could you please elaborate on how that works? To continue

> And then the client ultimately makes an individualized decision wheter we settle and on what terms. Could you please elaborate on how that works? To continue your example story, let's say you decide that rather than $20k you're willing to settle with taking $15k for your fees; and let's say they counter your $30k offer with "$20k take it or leave it". Do you then give the client a choice of "you get $5k instead of $6k if we settle, your choice between that or going to court"? Which could equally be "you get $1k instead of $6k" if you earlier decided to only lower your fee for settling from $20k to $19k? Or does the client actually get more power than that somehow / at what stages do they get info & get to make what decisions or proposals? (edit: and I'm just asking for curiosity since I'm not in the US, but maybe you could also clarify if what you're saying is true for the US or just for your state?)