In many cases, one attorney will refer a client to another attorney to handle a legal matter.  Sometimes this occurs when another attorney is better equipped to handle a particular case or has more frequently dealt with the set of circumstances of that case. It is common (and legal) for the referring attorney to receive a fee for that referral.  Your attorney's fee from the original contract should not be increased.  Before you hire an attorney for your case, make sure to ask questions regarding attorney referral fees and if they will impact your case or your compensation at the end of your case.