If an attorney agrees to work on a contingency fee basis, and then withdraws from service before even negotiating anything, are they entitled any compensation?
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If an attorney agrees to work on a contingency fee basis, and then withdraws from service before even negotiating anything, are they entitled any compensation?
Asked on February 2, 2015 under Personal Injury, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
The issue is did they do anything that helps the client or the client's next lawyer get a settlement or win the case--for example, did they do useful investigation that plays a role in the final outcome? Do they draft and/or file legal documents, like a complaint? Etc. If they did anything which helped with the client later getting money, then they may be entitled to *some* compensation--some share of the proceeds, even if obviously less than they'd have gotten had they been the attorney to get the settlement or win the case--for their efforts.
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