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.
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.
No matter the case, mutual agreement to cancel the contract is often the most amicable way to end it. If you reach an agreement, make sure to have the other party sign a document stating the terms of your cancellation so you are both protected from any future legal action.
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.
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.
You usually cannot cancel a contract, but there are times when you can. You can cancel some contracts within certain time limits. Some contracts must tell you about your right to cancel, how to cancel them, and where to send the cancellation notice.
Also, if after you hire an attorney you decide that you no longer want legal representation, you can send a basic letter to your lawyer directing him or her to immediately stop working on your case.
Under California law, you have the right to terminate your attorney-client relationship at any time and proceed with your case on your own.
If you are having difficulty reaching the attorney or their office, you may want to try sending a certified letter to the attorney's office, stating your intention to cancel the agreement within the three-day period.