In Re Thamann

{¶ 1} Brian Thamann retained John H. Metz as counsel for a wrongful-death lawsuit filed on behalf of himself and his minor daughter for the death of his wife, Meredith Thamann. On June 19, 1997, Brian Thamann entered into a contingency-fee agreement with Metz, whereby counsel would receive anywhere from thirty-three and one-third percent to fifty percent of the total amount recovered by Brian Thamann based on whether the lawsuit progressed to various levels of litigation. Brian Thamann was also responsible for his counsel’s trial-preparation costs.

{¶ 2} On February 27, 2002, Metz filed an…