How to Write an Attorney Client Termination Letter

If you have decided to terminate your relationship with an attorney, it is important to send a formal termination letter to confirm the termination. The letter should also state that the termination is final. It should be courteous and detailed and make it clear that you have decided to terminate your relationship for good. While this may seem like a daunting task, this letter should be easy to write and understand. Listed below are some tips to follow:

Disengagement for inactivity

A disengagement letter for inactivity is used when the client and the attorney have decided that neither party wants to pursue the matter further. Typically, it is used by Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16: Declining or Terminating Representation. Common reasons for disengagement include nonpayment of fees, failure to respond to contact requests, breakdown of an attorney-client relationship, or allegations of malpractice. A disengagement letter should be sent promptly and preferably with a closing status report.

Conflict of interest

An attorney’s conflict of interest may arise from a variety of situations. While a conflict of interest may not be directly obvious, it can still result in a problem. This issue arises when a lawyer’s interests are in direct conflict with those of another client or a former client. In this case, the lawyer is not able to provide impartial representation, which would violate the client’s rights.

Whenever a lawyer has a conflict of interest with a client, he or she is prohibited from representing that client. The lawyer cannot represent that client if the conflict prevents him or her from representing another client. A client may terminate a lawyer’s representation if the conflict of interest precludes the representation of another client. A conflict of interest arises if the attorney acts for one client but is paid by another.

Unacceptable behavior

You’ve probably been tempted to fire an uncooperative client before. While you might feel inclined to do so, this is not always an easy task. It’s important, to be honest, and straightforward about your concerns with the client, but delaying a decision can make the process more difficult. And it may also hurt your client’s interests. To help you avoid this, here are a few tips that may help you successfully end a client’s relationship with you:

Be polite

When writing an attorney-client termination letter, be specific and to the point. Include all relevant information in your letter, and make sure you use examples whenever possible. Use one main point per paragraph, and end your letter with a polite closing. If you feel that you must be polite to your attorney, you can use a less formal style or write your letter in a more formal format. But keep in mind that if your reasons are not the most legitimate, you should refrain from using insulting language.

In an attorney-client termination letter, the client is asked to return the case files, including all original documents. In addition, the client should request an itemized invoice detailing all fees and owed amounts. The client should be reminded that the attorney will be representing him at his next court appearance and that it is best to find new legal counsel before submitting the termination letter. To avoid conflict of interest, be sure to be polite, and include the necessary details.

Be firm

When terminating an attorney-client relationship, you should be firm and clear about the reasons for the termination. The letter should contain a formal opening paragraph detailing the reasons for terminating the relationship, followed by a paragraph addressing the matter of successor counsel and a closing paragraph that lists any deadlines or action items to follow. The letter should end with a firm and clear statement of the finality of the termination. If you are unsure of how to proceed, seek the advice of another attorney to help you.

It is imperative to be firm in your letter, but still polite. Do not air all your grievances or be rude; the legal community is small and lawyers are likely to talk to each other. Being rude will make it harder for you to find a new attorney and make it less likely for them to return your file or reduce your bill. Remember to remain professional and polite, and you will avoid further problems in the future.