Legal Question in Legal Malpractice in Michigan

Lawyer Quitting me

Can my lawyer drop me because I owe him money and he doesnt want to put anymore effort or time on my case? Its a lawsuit against my son. He claims I dont have good position and wants me to settle for much less than I want just so he can get paid and get out of my case. Or should I fire him and represent myself? I feel thats what he wants me to do and he has gotten nothing for me in four years! My sons attorney is definetly running things and it feels like my attorney is working for him or is being manipulated by him. My attorney is very new and young and claims he now has clients that pay him and he doesnt need to continue working for me without pay. I say if he had done anything he would have been paid as I only have money which is owed me in this case but he has done nothing. I even offered for him to collect my money and take all of it until he is paid or I offered him property I got in a divorce to pay him and he refused that too. What is my best move? I feel he wants me to fire him or cut him loose. So far I owe him $15,000 for nothing more than pretty papers that means nothing!


Asked on 7/08/04, 1:34 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Don Darnell Darnell & Lulgjuraj, P.C.

Re: Lawyer Quitting me

If you are not paying according to a fee agreement, an attorney may move the court to be let out of the representation. Unless the motion is right before trial, most courts will let lawyers out of the case in such circumstances. On another note, new or young attorneys are usually more willing to fight for tenous cases than a old, fat and happy lawyer. Mabye your current lawyer is giving you good advice.

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Answered on 7/08/04, 4:00 pm
William Stern William Stern, P.C.

Re: Lawyer Quitting me

Your case was probably evaluated by a panel of lawyers in a mediation. If you would forward me the summaries prepared by the lawyers, I'd be able to give you better advice as to whether your lawyers feelings are reasonable. From the sound of it, the lawyer may be right. However, he cannot get out of the case unless you fire him or unless the judge lets him out. The closer the case is to trial, the less likely it is for the judge to let him out. Are you without funds? If you have some cash, why not just hire another lawyers? William S. Stern 248-353-9400

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Answered on 7/08/04, 7:14 am


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