Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Ethical Attorney?

When an attorney decides that he/she no longer wants to work on a case, is there a law on how many days notice he/she must give to the client before dropping the case? I.E. A client has a court date set and an attorney files for a release and it is granted in less than a week, and the client is left with about 10 days to obtain new counsil and is unable to do so. Then the client is left without representation for the hearing and looses.


Asked on 12/05/01, 2:26 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alvin Lundgren Alvin R. Lundgren, L.C.

Re: Ethical Attorney?

In order to be released from a case, the attorney must file a motion with the court, and if you file a contesting motion, then a hearing is held to determine whether or not the attorney should be released. Generally if there is a close trial date the court will not allow an attorney to be released - if the release will prejudice the client. You should have filed for a continuance. You can file to have the judgment set aside or appeal the judgment. These must be done within 30 days of the date of the judgment.

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Answered on 12/05/01, 10:21 am


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