Ethics

It has long been the law that an Illinois attorney has the right to contract with a prospective client with respect to his or her compensation in an arm's length manner. Estate of Harnetiaux v. Hartzell, 234 N.E.2d 81 (Ill. App. 1968). The same holds true for a former client. Fee contracts entered into after the attorney-client relation has begun, however, is a different situation, as the transaction between the …