Understanding Net Client Recovery
How we calculate. Net to client = gross recovery − fees − costs (simple form). See our methodology and accuracy policy .
Real-world scenario: A typical Net Client Recovery case uses gross recovery 250000 and attorney fees 75000. Enter the same figures below to reproduce the worked path.
What is Net Client Recovery?
A planning screen for contingency/settlement illustrations. Actual disbursement sheets may allocate differently by agreement.
- Gross recovery before deductions
- Fees and costs as defined in the engagement
- Not a court-approved accounting
The Formula
Worked Example
Common Use Cases
- Settlement talks: client net
- Contingency illustrations: after fees
- Intake education: expectation setting
Pro Tips
- Follow engagement letter math
- Show fee % scenarios
- Separate taxable costs if required
| Scenario | When to use |
|---|---|
| Percent of a number | Finding a part of a whole (tax, tip, score) |
| Percent change | Comparing old vs new values |
Limitations: Net Client Recovery results are educational practice-management aids only—not legal advice, fee advice, or a substitute for counsel, ethics rules, or engagement letters. Confirm definitions with your firm policies and applicable professional rules.
Common mistakes
- Swapping part and whole: The denominator must be the full total, not a subset.
- Rounding too early: Carry extra decimal places through multi-step work before rounding the final percent.
- Mixing percent and decimal forms: Enter rates in the format the calculator labels expect.
The worked example for net client recovery was verified with the calculator form on this page—enter the same values to confirm the result.
When to use this calculator
- Use this page when your wording matches net client recovery and the form labels on screen.
- Use percent of a number for “what is X% of Y?” problems.
- Use number is what percent when you know part and whole and need the percent.
Still unsure about net client recovery? Start with the quick answer above, then open the linked calculator that matches your wording.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use this net client recovery calculator?
For net client recovery, enter the values labeled on the form, then press Calculate. Compare the result to the worked example on this page.
What formula does this page use?
See the quick answer and formula box above for net client recovery—the same percentage calculator expression is applied to your inputs.
What if my result looks wrong?
When checking net client recovery, re-check part vs whole (or rate vs base), rounding, and whether percents were entered as 25 rather than 0.25 when the form expects percents.
Authoritative References
For practice-management concepts and professional rules, consult:
- American Bar Association — ethics and practice resources
- Law Practice Today — practice management articles
- NABE — legal administrators community