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What You Need to Know When ‘Firing’ a Client

Noel R. Bagwell, III, Esq
Noel R. Bagwell, III, Esq | Executive Legal Professionals, PLLC

Founder of Executive Legal Professionals, PLLC (“ExecutiveLP®“)

On-Demand: December 20, 2022

What You Need to Know When ‘Firing’ a Client

$95.00 1 hour CLE

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Program Summary

Chances are that you’ve experienced an attorney-client relationship that either makes you uncomfortable, makes you scream, or makes you wish you’d never taken the case. Attorneys often face situations where they need (or want) to terminate a client relationship for one reason or another. These reasons may range from conflicts of interest, unlawful behavior, inability to fulfill obligations (by either client or attorney), or fundamental disagreements.

When is withdrawal from a case required? When is it optional? What ethical obligations must be considered in the termination of such a relationship? What steps can be taken to stay in compliance with ethical rules and avoid discipline or professional liability and prevent the pitfalls that may occur when firing a client? This live audio conference will reveal guidelines for deciding when to fire which clients and how to go about it if the relationship has become problematic.

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Guidelines for deciding IF or WHEN to fire a client
  • Guidelines for deciding WHO to fire
  • Guidelines for HOW to fire a client

Date: December 20, 2022

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Noel R. Bagwell, III, Esq | Executive Legal Professionals, PLLC

  • Founder of Executive Legal Professionals, PLLC (“ExecutiveLP®“)
  • Author of How to Structure Your Business for Success: Choosing the Correct Business Structure for Your Entity (3rd ed.) (ISBN-13: 978-1087878874)
  • Founder of Lead Again Consulting™
  • Author of Lead Again: Survive Any Setback and Reclaim Calm Amid Crisis (pending publication)
  • Winner of the Clarksville, TN Mayor’s Certificate (2019) for “servant leadership, ongoing sacrifice, and commitment to collaboration and inclusion within our small business community”
  • Four-time winner of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Attorney for Justice Award

Agenda

I. Guidelines for deciding IF or WHEN to fire a client | 11:00am – 11:20am

  • Rule of Professional Conduct
  • When you MUST withdraw
    • Violation or law or ethics rules
    • Impairment
    • Discharged
  • When you CAN withdraw
    • Client consent
    • No adverse effect
    • You’ve been used
    • Fundamental disagreements
    • Unfulfilled obligations
    • Unreasonable burden

II. Guidelines for deciding WHO to fire | 11:20am – 11:40am

  • The pareto principal
  • Opportunity costs & cost benefit analysis
  • Lead, follow, or get out of the way
  • Communication & expectations
  • Resolution with updates to written contracts

III. Guidelines for HOW to fire a client | 11:40am – 12:00pm

  • When to get court approval
  • Protecting the client’s interests
  • Remaining professional
  • Consider a referral
  • Review your contract
  • End it quickly
  • Accommodating unstable clients
  • Plan ahead, making it a process

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