In NYS. I paid a $400 retainer to a lawyer for a traffic summons. No cancellation policy disclosed or fees upfront. I cancelled one week aft...

Question

In NYS. I paid a $400 retainer to a lawyer for a traffic summons. No cancellation policy disclosed or fees upfront. I cancelled one week after payment to credit card. Lawyer charged me $100 cancellation fee for "work performed". I made a complaint to the BBB and credit card company. He insists that I owe him this money no matter how excessive, 25% payment for 0.01% work completed. He said it would take 1.5 year. Seems illegal and unethical to me.

Thanks

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Answer

$100 sounds reasonable to me. I assume you spoke to him for at least a half hour. That alone would justify $100 fee.