If a client terminates the attorney-client relationship, what claim does the attorney have?

When a client terminates the attorney-client relationship, the attorney may pursue a claim based on quantum meruit. Quantum meruit is a legal principle that allows a party to recover the reasonable value of services rendered when there is no contract or when a contract has been partially performed. In the context of the attorney-client relationship, if the attorney has performed work on behalf of the client before the relationship is terminated, the attorney is entitled to be compensated for the value of the work done, even if the client decides to end the relationship.

This principle ensures that attorneys are fairly compensated for their time and expertise. It acknowledges that the client benefits from the services provided, even if the representation was cut short. This is particularly relevant when the attorney has done substantial work on the case prior to the termination, as it would be unjust for the attorney to forfeit all fees in such a situation.

The other options do not reflect the appropriate legal principles surrounding fee entitlement after termination. For instance, the notion that an attorney must forfeit all fees disregards the work already performed. Similarly, stating that an attorney cannot claim any fees does not account for the right to recover under quantum meruit. Suggesting full contingent fees regardless of the circumstances also misrepresents the nuances