Early strategizing, fee arrangements cut class action lawsuit costs

Using alternative fee arrangements is increasing as companies institute strategies to assess and control the potential costs of class action lawsuits. One of the major takeaways in the 2013 Carlton Fields Class Action Survey is that 32 percent of the corporate counsel and chief legal officers surveyed reported they use alternative fee arrangements with outside counsel last year, up from 24 percent in 2011. Fixed fees are the main type of alternative fee arrangement used. The survey highlights strategies…