Lawyer and Accounting Success-fee structure?

intern profile

January 13, 2026

by an member in Corona, CA, USA

What is your perspective on engaging legal and accounting providers on a success-fee basis, with payment contingent on closing and settled as part of transaction costs?
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commentor profile
Reply by a professional
in Windermere, FL 34786, USA
Bryan, at SMB Law Group, we've closed 300+ search deals since###-###-#### We take significant busted deal fee risk on these matters. Email me at redacted if you want to discuss.
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Reply by a professional
from University of Michigan in Detroit, MI, USA
Hi ^redacted‌, as an M&A lawyer who focuses on the ETA space, I've often thought about doing this. But even though I think it would get me more clients, I always resist. That's because I don't want my judgment to be clouded by the success fee--it is better for you to walk away from some deals than have an advisor encourage you to go on because of misaligned incentives. That said, I recognize that dead deal fees are a real concern for my clients. And I do my best to mitigate it. If I am working on a fixed fee basis, I make sure to earn my fees in milestones, with 50% of my fee only earned if we successfully close. And if the deal dies before closing, I will credit my clients towards their next transaction for any amount I earn and they pay. That’s as close to zero risk as I can make it, while still ensuring I have sufficient working capital on hand (7th Street Legal is a small business too!). Happy to discuss further. Feel free to reach out at redacted
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