James C. Martin, Respondent v. Hugh N. Camp, Jr., as Executor of Frederic E. Camp, Deceased, and as Trustee Under…

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals held that a client may terminate an attorney at any time without cause and such termination does not constitute a breach of contract; the attorney is limited to recovery of the reasonable value of services rendered (quantum meruit). The court also held that the statute of limitations for the attorney’s claim begins when the attorney is discharged, not when a contingent award is obtained, rendering the plaintiff’s claim time‑barred. Accordingly, the Court reversed the lower court’s judgment and dismissed the complaint.