A contingency fee arrangement is where the attorney agrees to represent the client without charging any attorney fees up front.  Instead, the attorney receives his or her fees as a percentage of the monetary recovery in the case."  Under this arrangement, if there is no recovery in the case, the attorney doesn't get any attorney fees.  Depending on the wording of the contingency fee retainer the attorney may, or may not, also advance the costs of litigating the case in court.  The contingency fee arrangement makes it easier for individuals with limited financial means to pursue legal claims.