Intro
The availability of a refund varies and depends on what the payment is for.
Services
Standard services
Any payment of the fee for standard services is normally not refundable except for breach of contract.
The same principles apply to the cancellation of any obligation to make payment.
For example
If SRL is hired for a case through trial, and the Client hires another lawyer during plea negotiations the Client is not entitled to a refund. And if the Client has not paid in full, the Client is still obligated to pay through trial. Similarly, if SRL is hired for a case through the preliminary arraignment, and the Client ends the representation months later, after SRL informs the Client that the police are not going to file charges, the Client is still obligated to pay if s/he has not paid in full.
Non-standard services
If the Client ends, and SRL is allowed to end services, any unearned portion of the fee paid for non-standard services is refundable, as a rule.
There is an exception, however, if there is a payment due for any standard services or expenses. If that happens, the unearned portion of the fee will be used to satisfy the payment due.
The same principles apply to cancellation of any obligation to make payment.
Expenses
If the Client ends, and SRL is allowed to end services, any unincurred portion of the cost paid for expenses is refundable, as a rule.
There is an exception, however, if there is a payment due for any services or expenses. If that happens, the unearned portion of the fee will be used to satisfy the payment due.
The same principles apply to cancellation of any obligation to make payment.