What is required when a lawyer decides to withdraw from representation?

A lawyer's decision to withdraw from representation must be handled thoughtfully to ensure the protection of the client's rights. Gradual withdrawal allows the attorney to fulfill their ethical obligations, including providing the client with sufficient notice, helping the client find a replacement lawyer if necessary, and ensuring that the withdrawal does not adversely impact the client's interests or ongoing legal matters. This process emphasizes the lawyer's duty to act competently and responsibly, preserving the integrity of the legal representation.

Immediate cessation of all client activities can leave the client vulnerable and unprepared, which undermines the lawyer's ethical obligations. Approval from the judge may be required in certain circumstances, such as in ongoing litigation or court-appointed cases, but it is not a universal requirement for all withdrawal situations. While consulting with another lawyer may be beneficial for the withdrawing attorney's own understanding of the process or to receive advice on handling the situation, it is not a necessary step in the withdrawal process itself. Thus, the requirement to gradually withdraw while protecting client rights is the most encompassing and responsible approach to ending a lawyer-client relationship.