Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Pennsylvania

I retained an attorney's services about 7 months ago for representation in a suit against a company that refused to hire me because of unrelated misdemeanors. I paid a $3,500.00 retainer with a promise of an additional 30% of the judgment if the suit was successful. Our contact has been minimal. I last emailed him mid-April 2012 with no response to date. During our last contact, he claimed to be doing extensive"research" but has yet to file anything.

At what point can I fire him and request a full refund of my $3,500.00?


Asked on 5/29/12, 5:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jay Solnick Solnick Lawyers

You can "fire" an attorney at any time. Your right to a refund, however, is going to be based in part on the language of the representation agreement which you presumably signed when you hired the attorney and what, if anything, he has done to earn any or all of the funds which you paid. I'm not sure how strong a case you have against the company that did not hire you based on the information provided, but that is a completely separate issue.

Ultimately, if you believe that you are entitled to a refund which is not paid, you could file a claim against your attorney in the local district court and a District Justice would decide whether you are entitled to anything if you can't work things out with your attorney.

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Answered on 5/29/12, 6:38 pm


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