§ 1–301.86a. Contingency fee contracts.

(a)(1) The Attorney General may make contracts retaining private counsel to furnish legal services, including representation in negotiation, compromise, settlement, and litigation, in claims and other legal matters affecting the interests of the District of Columbia.

(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, each contract shall include the terms and conditions the Attorney General considers necessary or appropriate, including a provision specifying the amount of any fee to be paid to the private counsel under the contract or the method for calculating that fee.

(B) The amount of the fee payable for legal services furnished under any such contract shall not exceed the fee that counsel engaged in the private practice of law in the District typically charges clients for furnishing similar legal services, as determined by the Attorney General.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of federal or District of Columbia law, a contract entered into by the District of Columbia pursuant to this section may provide that costs, expenses, and fees that the private counsel charges for legal services are payable from the amount recovered. In such circumstances, the costs, expenses, and fees need not be included in an amount provided in an appropriations law.