Tonn v. Reuter

This appeal is concerned with the rights of an attorney, or law firm, who has been employed by a client to perform a specific task and then is discharged by the client without cause after performance of substantial services.

While there is agreement in the decided cases as to the right of a client to change attorneys, there is sharp disagreement as to whether a client by so doing may subject himself to the payment of damages on the ground of breach of contract. The majority rule is that, where the attorney has been employed to perform specific legal services, his discharge, without cause or…