Can a Lawyer Decline or Terminate you
as a Client?
A lawyer shall not represent a client or,
where representation has commenced, shall withdraw from
the representation of a client if:
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the representation will result in
violation of the rules of professional conduct or
other law;
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the lawyer's physical or mental condition
materially impairs the lawyer's ability to represent
the client; or
-
the lawyer is discharged.
A lawyer may withdraw from representing
a client if:
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withdrawal can be accomplished without
material adverse effect on the interests of the client;
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the client persists in a course of
action involving the lawyer's services that the lawyer
reasonably believes is criminal or fraudulent;
-
the client has used the lawyer's services
to perpetrate a crime or fraud;
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the client insists upon taking action
that the lawyer considers repugnant or with which
the lawyer has a fundamental disagreement;
-
the client fails substantially to
fulfill an obligation to the lawyer regarding the
lawyer's services and has been given reasonable warning
that the lawyer will withdraw unless the obligation
is fulfilled;
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the representation will result in
an unreasonable financial burden on the lawyer or
has been rendered unreasonably difficult by the client;
or
-
other good cause for withdrawal exists.
A lawyer must comply with applicable law
requiring notice to or permission of a tribunal when terminating
a representation. When ordered to do so by a tribunal,
a lawyer shall continue representation notwithstanding
good cause for terminating the representation. Upon termination
of representation, a lawyer shall take steps to the extent
reasonably practicable to protect a client's interests,
such as giving reasonable notice to the client, allowing
time for employment of other counsel, surrendering papers
and property to which the client is entitled and refunding
any advance payment of fee or expense that has not been
earned or incurred. The lawyer may retain papers relating
to the client to the extent permitted by other law.
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