As far as the, 'approved as to form and content,' scenario, it seems to me that at this stage, if after negotiations, wouldn't he withdraw rather than being fired?
If:
(1) Monique wanted to proceed with the settlement in a timely fashion (i.e., right away) over her attorney's objections;
(2) the attorney's signature was required (e.g., as a party to the contract making promises [e.g., not to take further anti-COS cases], as counsel approving as to "Form and Content," or just as an attorney approving as to "Form"); and
(3) the attorney for whatever reason refused to sign; then,
(4) Monique would have to fire the attorney to get the deal done. What if Monique waited for Jeffrey to ask the court for permission to withdraw, and he never did? In the above scenario firing Jeffrey is the only thing that makes sense.
If an attorney signed the form aspect, but not the content, wouldn't there be grounds for negligence?
Not unless saying he had reviewed and approved its form fell below the standard of care for an attorney -- i.e., there was something in the form (e.g., a trap) that a reasonable attorney would not have approved of, or at least would have warned his client about. Attorney's can be sued for negligence for letting their clients sign bad deals, but only if the attorney fails to warn the client about problems a reasonable attorney would catch. If the attorney warns about all risks (or more precisely all reasonably foreseeable risks), and the client insists on going forward, the attorney can't be sued. The final decision re: settlement is up to the client.
Finally, I'll note that there may not be much, if any, distinction between approval as to "Form and Content" and approval only as to "Form." It might depend on the state, jurisdiction, etc. In event, that distinction (if any) is not going to be the hang-up in this case.
I'm really beginning to suspect the proposed settlement required Jeffrey and his firm to promise, as a party to the contract, not to take any more anti-COS cases, or represent ex-Scientologists, and Jeffrey refused. Just a guess.
Then again, maybe the "Form and Content" alternative. Maybe Jeffrey REALLY objected to the form and/or content, fully warned and informed Monique, she insisted on going forward, and he just couldn't bring himself to say and sign, in writing, that he "APPROVED" of a settlement agreement that he believed truly sucked. If so, kudos to him. Most attorneys would fully warn their client, in writing, sign off, collect their fee and move on.