Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California

Attorney Wants Out In The Middle Of Case

We hired an attorney months ago to pursue a civil lawsuit. The attorney recently advised us that he is burned out from dealing with the other side's attorneys and wants to quit practicing law. He tried to get one of his friends to take the case but the friend said no (too busy). Now this attorney says he wants out now and we need to get another attorney. The case has already been scheduled for trial and our attorney has done almost no discovery. Can the attorney simply walk away from us even if we haven't found snother attorney yet?


Asked on 5/01/06, 9:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert F. Cohen Law Office of Robert F. Cohen

Re: Attorney Wants Out In The Middle Of Case

You can't make an attorney work if he/she doesn't want to or has a nervous breakdown. You wouldn't want to, anyway. Get yourself another attorney, especially since a trial date has been set. You need to complete discovery within a month before the trial. Make sure to get your entire file from the attorney or, if you retain a new attorney soon, have the file sent over there.

Read more
Answered on 5/01/06, 11:00 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility questions and answers in California