Model Rules of Professional Conduct Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Mastering Professional Conduct!

A lawyer may withdraw from representation when the client insists on taking action that the lawyer finds unacceptable because this puts the lawyer in a position where adhering to the client's wishes may result in a violation of legal ethics or professional responsibilities. For instance, if a client wants to pursue a legal strategy that is unlawful or contrary to the lawyer's professional judgment, the lawyer has an obligation to refuse that course of action. Maintaining ethical standards and protecting the integrity of the legal profession takes precedence, allowing the lawyer to initiate withdrawal from the case in order to preserve their own ethical obligations.

Other options do not provide valid reasons for withdrawal. If a client asks for more time to think over an important decision, this is generally seen as a normal part of the legal process, and the lawyer typically should accommodate this request, not withdraw. Similarly, being too busy to take on new cases does not justify withdrawal from existing representation, as lawyers are expected to manage their workload effectively. Finally, changes in a client's contact preferences, while potentially inconvenient, do not typically provide a sufficient legal basis for a lawyer to withdraw from representation.