Withdrawal Representation

It is difficult for a lawyer to withdraw from representing a client. Judges have discretion in appointing guardian ad litem or indigent cases to attorneys. Judges have discretion in appointing guardian ad litem or indigent cases to attorneys.

First, you can hire a new attorney and ask the new attorney to contact the former attorney and inform the former attorney of his or her termination. Second, you can write a letter to the attorney informing the attorney that you are terminating the attorney client relationship.

If you decide to decline representation after research or investigation, you should protect yourself and your client by (1) promptly advising the client in writing of your decision not to take the case or matter; (2) be certain to inform the client of his or her right to contact another lawyer for a second opinion;

Representation of the client does not terminate unless and until the court, after notice and written motion, grants withdrawal. If the court does not allow the attorney to withdraw, the representation must continue.

The court may request an explanation for the withdrawal, while the lawyer may be bound to keep confidential the facts that would constitute such an explanation. The lawyer's statement that professional considerations require termination of the representation ordinarily should be accepted as sufficient.

Lawyers typically withdraw for cause from representing difficult clients citing the permissive grounds of the representation 2026 has been rendered unreasonably difficult by the client or other good cause for withdrawal exists. Examples of withdrawal for these reasons include a client that withheld material

It's not necessary, or suggested, to include a reason for the termination. Tell the client what they need to do to move forward without you and what could happen if they don't. Termination means it's the end. Send the letter via a traceable delivery method. Be wary of terminating a client right before a deadline.

Be respectful. Make it simple. Don't feel you must explain or justify. Assign responsibility for your refusal to something else. Stand firm. Refer, refer, refer.

Yes a lawyer may, generally speaking, refuse to represent a client for any reason they choose (or no reason at all), even (in most jurisdictions) reasons that would be otherwise illegal for someone providing a public service to refuse for (such as racial, ethnic, religious, gender, or other reasons).