Which situation permits permissive withdrawal of an attorney?

Which situation permits permissive withdrawal of an attorney?

• A. Client asks for something illegal
• B. Client files for bankruptcy
• C. Client fails to pay fees after reasonable notice
• D. Lawyer's schedule conflicts with other matters

Answer: (C)

Permissive withdrawal is allowed when the client has failed to meet an obligation to the lawyer, such as paying fees, after reasonable notice. This grounds the attorney’s right to step away because continuing representation would be futile or unfair to the lawyer financially, but it must be done in a way that protects the client’s interests—giving the client time to hire new counsel and promptly returning case papers and unrecoverable funds. In this scenario, the client’s failure to pay after reasonable notice directly triggers the permissive withdrawal rule, making it the clearest and most applicable justification for ending the representation. The other situations don’t fit this specific ground as neatly: asking for illegal acts requires the lawyer to refuse and may involve withdrawal to avoid facilitating crime, bankruptcy filing isn’t itself a grounds for withdrawal, and a scheduling conflict by itself isn’t a guaranteed basis for permissive withdrawal unless it creates an unreasonable burden or prejudice.

Permissive withdrawal is allowed when the client has failed to meet an obligation to the lawyer, such as paying fees, after reasonable notice. This grounds the attorney’s right to step away because continuing representation would be futile or unfair to the lawyer financially, but it must be done in a way that protects the client’s interests—giving the client time to hire new counsel and promptly returning case papers and unrecoverable funds. In this scenario, the client’s failure to pay after reasonable notice directly triggers the permissive withdrawal rule, making it the clearest and most applicable justification for ending the representation. The other situations don’t fit this specific ground as neatly: asking for illegal acts requires the lawyer to refuse and may involve withdrawal to avoid facilitating crime, bankruptcy filing isn’t itself a grounds for withdrawal, and a scheduling conflict by itself isn’t a guaranteed basis for permissive withdrawal unless it creates an unreasonable burden or prejudice.