In contingency cases, the lawyer gets a very large portion of the award settlement. Depending on what was initially negotiated upon retaining the attorney, it is common for attorneys to ask 40-50% of the award settlement. Some use a sliding scale; the attorney gets 20% if case is settled within a few months; goes to 30% after discovery and if it goes to trial, they've been known to ask 60%. That said, Gloria Allred has a strong history of advocating (and representing) for women's rights. Additionally, she has attained a high level of financial success so monetary gain may likely not be the motivator. She is also alleged to have been raped at gunpoint but did not report the incident. Maroney is still very young and potentially was still afraid of the repercussions of coming forward; hence the settlement. Nonetheless, Maroney coming forward with her abuse now, albeit difficult, may be a step in the right direction for her so that she can start healing.
Thank you for writing this. Allred has long been a champion of women's rights, and clients like Maroney need her support and experience.