LEO: Trust/Escrow Accounts - Attorney's Fees -  LE Op. 681

 

Trust/Escrow Accounts - Attorney's Fees - Retainer Paid in

Advance - Accounting.

 

April 10, 1985

 

It is the duty of a lawyer to account to his client, upon request, for

all or any part of a fee paid for services to be rendered in the future.

Thus, an attorney who is paid a substantial portion of an agreed fee in a

criminal matter and whose services are terminated prior to the conclusion

of the case must, upon demand by his client, provide an accounting of fees

received and expended. Fees claimed must be reasonable. [ DR:9-102, DR:2-

106, LE Op. 510]

 

Committee Opinion April 10, 1985

 

CROSS REFERENCES

 

See also LE Op. 1370.