I engaged this one lawyer who asked for more than three quarters of a million as acceptance fee to take on a drug related case.

The accused couldn't pay in full so they gave 100k as partial down payment which the lawyer accepted. The accused asked to file an affidavit to suspend their jail transfer as well as release of evidence to which the lawyer said yes. Three weeks forward, no engagement letter was signed, no affidavits were filed and the lawyer apparently never called the accused again. The accused ended up having another person file their affidavits for them.

I understand there's a quantum meruit even in the absence of a formal engagement. I reached out to the lawyer to refund what's left of the 100k but he doesn't seem to have even a hint of willingness to give it back.

1. He got the case files without having to file an entry of appearance.
2. He met us twice. Met me me once, and the second instance was when we went to the custodial facility to meet the accused.
3. He supposedly 'drafted' the affidavits that the accused requested, but never filed them.
4. "We've already talked to people." -atty

In practice, does this really happen? Do lawyers need or spend 100k or more to do just these four?

I'm all about fair game. To the lawyers who will reach out, this will not be pro bono. I just want what's fair.