What is the difference between hourly fees paid by the client and the attorney retained?

reality that hourly fees are paid in increments, but also in the extent to which the client legitimately retains flexibility to change the terms of the bargain for legal services after a lawyer has been retained. (See, e.g., id. at pp. 11741175, 32 Cal.Rptr.2d 1, 876 P.2d 487 ; Gage v. Atwater (1902) 136 Cal. 170, 172173, 68 P. 581 ["The interest of the client in the successful prosecution or defense of the action is superior to that of the attorney, and he has the right to employ such attorney as will in his opinion best subserve his interest."].)