When can your lawyer leave you?

Yesterday, Slate published an article about when an attorney can withdraw from a case.  When you hire an attorney, you are most likely envisioning that he or she will be with you until the day of your trial.  You may not pay much attention to the clause in the retainer agreement about the reasons your attorney may stop working on the matter or withdraw from the case.  Such clauses are common in retainer agreements, with the most common reasons for withdrawal being the client's lack of cooperation in the case and failure to make payments.  It is relatively common for clients to switch attorneys in family law cases, where emotions run high and it is important to find an attorney who is "in sync" with you.  Always try to resolve the issue with your attorney first, if possible. 

Comments

[Divorce in Virginia]

Good point. I've had clients refuse to pay, not realizing I was able to withdraw from the case. It makes the most sense to cooperate with your attorney and make timely payments, that way you usually don't have to worry about anyone withdrawing mid-case.