Re: firing a client: more facts

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How do you envision yourself? As an apologist for the bad apples
in the profession? As the savior of the lost souls in the world?
Or as a professional and a business person making a living for
yourself and providing for your family, with a sense of your own
self-worth, and respect for your own values?

She's already pulled too many of your strings. Bail out. Don't
look back.

On 2/03/05, Dave wrote:
> Curmudgeon -- Thanks for the advice - I appreciate it! I've set
> out the facts before, but it's a little lengthy.
>
> This client started an EEOC claim with one attorney 2 years ago;
> that firm merged with another, causing a conflict, so client had
> to get a second attorney. Second attorney probably committed
> malpractice, and because of that, client is stuck in arbitration
> (client wanted to fight a mandatory arbitration clause in her
> employment contract, and had a good chance of winning that
> fight). I've met with client several times - she came to me
> through a someone who's referred several other clients to me --
> but have made no filings or appearances. I also found her a job
> with a guy that I partner with in a tax preparation business
> that is unrelated to my law practice - I am not her boss,
> however. She has been very bossy with my partner in that
> business - telling her what she would do, refusing to do certain
> reasonable tasks, etc...., and has been near-abusive to several
> co-workers. We met last week to discuss her case. I did not
> discuss her conduct at the tax prep job because I felt it would
> be inappropriate. During the discussions, I told her that I did
> not feel that I could present some of the arguments she was
> suggestioning, since I felt they were without merit. She became
> extremely irate, and proceeded to tell me what I would do. I
> left, and have not spoken with her since that time. It's now
> obvious that she is a bad client. I haven't collected any fees
> from her, and her next arbitration hearing has not even been
> scheduled. The reason this situation worries me is that I do
> not believe she will be able to find any other attorney to
> represent her. She looked for 9 months before finding me. Now
> that she's in arbitration, the potential fees are greatly
> reduce, and it will take a significant amount of time to handle
> her case. Do I have an ethical obligation simply because I do
> not think she will be able to find another attorney? Sorry for
> the long e-mail, but the facts seem important.