Legal Question in Personal Injury in Maryland

financial arrangements when case is on a contingency basis..

I have a lawsuit against the Catholic church because I was the organist there for 30 years (non-consecutive) and I was fired after I told the pastor that I had been sexually abused there as a child for over a five year period - I was a child prodigy organist and started working there at age 11 and was abused by the choir director for 5 years. I have had two lawyers, one to write the complaint) (for $1500.00) and another to file it later on. I ended up filing it pro se

and I hired another lawyer on a contingency basis. We didn't sign a contract and she recently won in Maryland Appeals Court for the second time - the church an no longer use the ministerial exeption as a loophole to avoid lawsuits from organists. Now, four years later, she wants me to sign a contract - I hired her on a contingency basis and now she has alot of other financial demands. , including hiring her as my exclusive lawyer, and paying he $175.00/hr

for work done if there is no settlement and/or judgment against the Catholic church. Just what am I obligated to pay for in the state of Maryland. Please help.

We have reached a possible settlement point and the church is stalling my lawyer. She sent me the contract by e-mail totally by surprise 6/23/07.


Asked on 6/24/07, 9:05 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Walter E. Laake, Jr. Joseph Greenwald & Laake Pa

Re: financial arrangements when case is on a contingency basis..

You are under no obligation to sign a retainer agrement at the end of the case but if it accurately expresses the agreed upon terms and conditions of the legal representation there is obviously no harm in doing so.

Absent an understanding in writing, your attorney would be entitled to a reasonable fee which may need to be mediated, arbitrated, and or litigated.

I would not advise you to sign an agreement at this stage of the proceedings. If your attorney threatens to quit and force you to find another lawyer she may forfeit any right to a legal fee for "abandoning you".

Call me if i can be of help...

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Answered on 6/25/07, 10:30 am


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