Attorney’s fees under contingency fee agreement

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has held an attorney is entitled to collect a contingency fee under a contract with his client when he has “substantially performed” his duties and only “minor and relatively unimportant” matters remain at the time the client discharges the attorney.  Otherwise, the attorney’s recovery is determined by quantum meruit.  The Law Office of Thomas A. Tarro, III v. Checralla, No. 2011-123-Appeal, (R.I. Feb. 21, 2013).