Agreed, nothing unscrupulous about a business (law firm in this case) being well-rewarded for significant risks.
It is pretty common for contingency fees to be even higher (e.g. 40%) but what difference does it make? If the client doesn't like it, they can go to another law firm and get a "better deal". All markets have their own way of leveling the playing field (supply/demand) and even if the contingency asked for was 75%, the client always has the option to HIRE THE FIRM ON A PER-HOUR BASIS.
Of course most people could not afford that, but isn't that the point? The client does not have the capital to risk and they are asking the lawyers to essentially perform in two roles:
1) As litigators.
2) As risk investors in the venture
The "risk investors" equity participation is whatever the market will bear and whatever the buyer/seller can agree on. The lawyers don't "owe" anything to the client other than their best efforts.
If the client doesn't like the contingency deals that major law firms demand (and deserve) they can always go to some newbie attorney or pre-paid legal services and save a lot of money. LOL
Basically, you get what you pay for.
That much, I disagree with. Because I don't really think that someone worth their salt will charge a 75% contingency. But there is some range of acceptable percentages that people operate in.
There are also state regulations that say sometimes you aren't allowed to do contingency. Divorce is pretty universal as far as not being allowed to do contingency. Car accidents are almost universally contingency. And sometimes you get real assholes who want to sue to prove a point and have a really horrible case. With nutjobs, lawyers are allowed to do hourly as opposed to contingency in the situations.
So if I were doing the shopping:
1) Ask around
2) Check the bar association for complaints and discipline files. Everyone gets complaints eventually, and stuff like not returning calls / being too busy for the case load is common. Allegations of incompetence or suspensions are not normal. Have perspective on stuff like that.
3) Be willing to negotiate. If you find a wonderful lawyer who wants 50%, they might let you talk em down. Especially if 50% is an outlier in the local market.
That's how I'd shop for this situation anyway. Or more likely, I would call up the Garcias' firms. Doesn't matter that it's not in your state in this situation, because it is a federal case. I would add that given the nature of the cult and the fact that it is in federal court mean that you should really not just open up the yellow pages. You want a very high level of specialization, and that is generally extremely expensive.
Edit - To finish my thought, with the local ambulance chaser, even if expensive and good at personal injury, you will not get what you pay for because this is not your every day weirdness. This is a bizarre religious cult, a federal case, and fraud with its difficult level of proof in federal courts.