Markey & Orsi in Baltimore: Personal Injury Law on Contingency
Markey & Orsi is a personal injury firm operating in Baltimore that handles automobile accidents, slip-and-fall claims, wrongful death cases, and medical malpractice on a contingency-fee basis. The practice takes cases only when the attorneys believe they can win, which means clients pay nothing upfront and owe fees only if the firm recovers money for them. The firm's model separates it functionally from flat-fee or hourly-rate personal injury practices that exist across Baltimore and the surrounding counties.
What Markey & Orsi Actually Is
Markey & Orsi operates as a two-attorney shop focused exclusively on plaintiffs in personal injury. Both partners handle cases themselves rather than delegating to junior staff, which is uncommon among larger Baltimore personal injury firms. The practice works primarily in car accident claims, premises liability (slip-and-fall, inadequate security), wrongful death, and medical negligence. They do not handle workers' compensation, which falls into a separate legal category, and they do not take family law or criminal matters. The firm sits in a middle tier of Baltimore injury practices: smaller than firms with 20+ attorneys and large marketing budgets, but larger and more specialized than solo practitioners.
Contingency Fee Structure and Case Scope
Markey & Orsi operates on a contingency model: clients pay no retainer, no hourly rate, and no consultation fee. If the firm does not settle or win the case, the client owes nothing. If the case succeeds, the firm takes a percentage of the recovery, typically one-third (33%) in settled cases and up to 40% in cases tried to verdict. This structure aligns the firm's financial incentive with the client's outcome. The firm does not take every case; the partners screen each potential client and decline cases they believe are weak or unmanageable. Clients should ask during the initial consultation which specific costs the firm covers (investigation, expert witnesses, court filing fees) and whether those costs are deducted before or after the attorney fee is calculated, as this varies by firm and affects the net recovery the client receives.
How Markey & Orsi Compares to Other Baltimore Personal Injury Firms
Baltimore hosts several tiers of personal injury practices, each with different risk models and fee structures. Large regional firms like Jacoby & Meyers or Hartman & Harris operate contingency too but often staff cases with associates and paralegals, meaning a partner attorney may not handle your file directly. Boutique single-attorney practices around Baltimore also take contingency cases but lack the resources to fund expert testimony or handle complex liability disputes. Mid-size Baltimore firms, such as some of the established injury-focused partnerships, may charge hourly rates for initial consultation and then move to contingency, which shifts some financial risk to the client early on. Markey & Orsi's explicit two-attorney model with no upfront cost and direct attorney involvement appeals to clients who want to know their case will be handled by a partner and who cannot afford to pay a consultation fee. Choose this firm if you need a partner-level attorney and cannot fund legal costs before settlement; choose a larger firm if your case is complex and requires extensive staff support or multiple specialists; choose a solo practitioner if you want flexibility on smaller claims or value direct personal relationships over institutional resources.
Who This Firm Suits and Does Not Suit
Markey & Orsi is best suited to individuals with motor vehicle accident claims, slip-and-fall injuries, or wrongful death cases where liability is reasonably clear and damages are measurable. Clients should have documentation (police reports, medical records, insurance information) and the ability to describe the incident coherently. The contingency model works well for clients with limited upfront capital or those who distrust hourly billing. The firm is not a fit for clients with highly speculative claims (where liability is unclear or damages are hard to prove), for workers' compensation cases (which require a separate workers' compensation attorney), or for anyone seeking family law or estate planning advice.
What the First Appointment Involves
Markey & Orsi offers a free initial consultation. A client typically phones or visits to describe the incident and provide initial details (date, location, injuries, medical treatment). An attorney will ask about how the injury happened, who else was involved, what medical care you received, and whether you have already received an insurance settlement offer. The attorney will assess whether liability is provable and whether damages justify the cost and time of pursuing the claim. The firm will request documents: police reports, hospital or urgent care records, photos of the accident scene if available, correspondence from insurance companies, and pay stubs showing lost wages. If the attorney believes the case is viable, the firm will outline the contingency fee structure in writing and discuss next steps. If the firm declines the case, they will explain why and may refer you to another attorney.
Hours, Location, and Contact
Verify current hours and address by phone or website before visiting, as office hours for small practices often shift seasonally.
Markey & Orsi represents a straightforward contingency model that removes upfront legal costs from clients who have sustained clear injury and merit recovery.
