Yes, you can fire your attorney even if you've signed a contract. As a client, you can terminate your attorney's services anytime, for any reason. However, there may be financial and legal implications to consider when doing so.
Send a Termination Letter to Your Attorney You do not need to follow any sort of specific template—just simply state that you are no longer in need of their services and that you are terminating them. Make sure to keep a copy for yourself, and provide your new lawyer with one, too.
You can stop working with your lawyer, as you don't have a contract preventing you from doing so. Firing your attorney before a settlement pays out might not cut them out of the settlement entirely, though.
1. Terminating Your Current Attorney: You can terminate your attorney-client relationship at any time. However, it is crucial to do so in writing. A formal letter stating your intention to end the relationship should be sent to your attorney. This letter serves as a record of your decision and its date. 2.
I am writing to officially notify you that I am terminating your services immediately. This is because {reason(s) for terminating the representation}. You do not have permission to send any demands on my behalf and I am advising the insurance company that you no longer represent me for this personal injury claim.
Typically, you should send the attorney written notice of termination of services unless the contract requires other types of notice. If the attorney has entered an appearance in a Court action, the attorney will be required to file a formal withdrawal as well.
If your lawyer doesn't seem to be working on your case, sending a polite but firm letter expressing your concerns should get your lawyer's attention. Don't threaten to file a malpractice lawsuit or complain to the bar association; such threats will probably make your lawyer angry and defensive, not attentive.
Even if the matter is not pending before a tribunal, the ethics rules of most states provide that a lawyer cannot withdraw until he or she has taken reasonable steps to avoid foreseeable prejudice to the rights of his client, such as giving notice to the client, allowing time for employment of other counsel, delivering ...
If you terminate your lawyer and do not hire another attorney, your old lawyer will have a right to place a lien on your claim. This means that you will owe your former attorney for the work they performed prior to the termination of your contract.
The best way to do this is to send a letter (email is fine). All you have to say is Dear Lawyer, I am terminating the attorney-client relationship effective immediately. Please send my client file to ADDRESS by DATE.