Lawyers shouldn't be expected to engage in futility. Last, but not least, clients really should pay their bills. You have every opportunity at the outset of a lawyer-client relationship to learn about fees and costs and to negotiate. You can shop for lawyers whose terms you like. Once you've made your deal, however, you should stick with it.
Lawyers get calls from people who've had two or three attorneys in one case.
It doesn't take long to figure that one out. For such people, legal representation can be hard to come by on any terms. You can order your own copy of the folder from the State Bar of New Mexico, P.O. Box 25883, Albuquerque 87125. There's no charge. Martin Paskind is an Albuquerque lawyer.