ETHICS, OPINION 93-2
This definitely gives you a great argument. What does the contract say specifically about retainer or the fee being nonrefundable? I'm pretty sure in Florida they have fee arbitration whenever a client disagrees with the lawyer. This is great for you because you don't really need an attorney to do this.
I'll look when I get back home. I know it doesn't say anything about a retainer at all, just the total fee. He verbally said he would need $250.00 for a retainer. Like a fool, I gave him $850.00.
It does say something about getting a refund but in the same paragraph it says all fees are non-refundable. It's really vague.