Does a lawyer need a reason to not represent you? -

My best friend s girlfriend is in the process of suing her ex-husband. After counseling with the lawyer and paying him, he has returned the check and decided he cannot represent her. Do lawyers need a reason to refuse representation or can they, as in this case, just decide they don t feel like taking on a case?

They are allowed to refuse anyone they wish, on any grounds they wish, so long as they are not appointed by the court.

A lawyer has the right to withdraw from representation, except that when the lawyer has filed an appearance in court, the lawyer must have the approval of the court. The most common (but certainly not the only) grounds for withdrawal is failure of the client to pay the lawyer s fees. If your lawyer is attempting to withdraw and you don t think that withdrawal is appropriate, the first place to look is the engagement letter you and your lawyer signed when you began your relationship. That letter should spell out the circumstances that would allow your lawyer to withdraw. If want to oppose your attorney s withdrawal, write a letter to the court with a copy to your attorney. The quicker the better.

Unless they are appointed by the court to represent you, they are free to choose their clients.

Unless they are court appointed they do not have to represent you or have a reason for not wanting to.

A lawyer does not have to take on a case for many varied reasons unless it is pro buono (free) and then the judge can make him take the case. A lawyer can tell the court that he and the client have an irreconcilable difference of opinion on how the case should be handled. This would be enough for the judge to remove the lawyer from the case.

yes, they can choose to represent you or not. No reason at all. Your friends case didn t hold any water so the attorney doest want to waste his time

They can decide they just don t like you, but usually this happens when they check their records and find there is some connection to someone else in the case that creates a conflict of interest. It might be that the ex once came in for a consultation. That can be enough to require the lawyer to stay away from the situation in the future.