Can a lawyer ethically drop a case because he has decided to leave his area of practice? He offered to continue his services if he was given a 5,000 dollar retainer, even though it is the same case he has been working on for 2 years. Does this sound ethical?
The only part of the case left is trial in two months. He offered the following options:
Hire a recommended attorney and pay a retainer with him.
Pay him a 5000$ retainer to keep him.
Represent myself.
Thanks for the help!
Answer by Kimmi M
No, it doesn't. He should finish up the cases he is working on. If it is a long-term one and that isn't practical, he should refer you to another lawyer and work to make the transition smooth.
Answer by Michelle D
He can, legally, drop the case if he is leaving this area of practice. Asking for a $ 5000 retainer to continue a case, however, does not sound ethical. You should report him to the appropriate state bar.
Answer by regerugged
No. He should be able to refer the case to another attorney. Call the county Bar Association where the suit was filed. Ask them to look into the matter.
A similar thing happened to me. My attorney got a job with a private corporation before my claim was settled. He recommended another attorney. The second attorney accepted the original contingency fee arrangement. The case settled. I got my part of the settlement. Whatever the attorneys did about the fee was OK with me.
What do you think? Answer below!
Orignal From: Lawyer quitting his practice and dropping a case?
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