To report attorney misconduct you must contact the State Bar of Arizona. Once a report of attorney misconduct is received, the State Bar of Arizona will make a determination if the conduct warrants the filing of a formal complaint.
As advisor, a lawyer provides a client with an informed understanding of the client's legal rights and obligations and explains their practical implications. As advocate, a lawyer zealously asserts the client's position under the rules of the adversary system.
Lawyers often hold settlement checks for several important reasons. These include: Legal and ethical obligations: They must ensure all parties have fulfilled the settlement agreement terms. Financial obligations: They must ensure that all financial obligations are met before disbursing the funds.
All you would need to do is notify your current attorney that you would like to terminate services, ask for a detailed final bill, and have your retainer balance returned.