Lawyer doesn't show up to court

[ShortRoundChief]

Here's the situation.

I have a friend who has an ongoing child custody/visitation case going. He hires an attorney, pays the attorney, and all looks well. Next thing you know the attorney's son dies and she immediately goes into reclusion. She doesn't return his calls, moves her office to her home and almost disappears.

Last Wednesday there was a hearing scheduled. My friend calls her up on Tuesday to confirm and she tells him no that she is getting a continuance. Everything still sounds good, except they went ahead and had the hearing. They determined child support, visitation, etc without his or his attorney being there. They stuck it to home so bad that she actually had her attorney amend it because she felt sorry for him.

My question is this: Is there any legal action that can be taken to a)get his money back from the attorney b)reverse or amend the decision because of negligence of his attorney

I know there's a lawyer or two on here, but I'm curious of the great mind pools thoughts on this.