In some cases, an attorney may find that they cannot represent a client due to the client’s illegal or unethical behavior.  The attorney must exercise caution when withdrawing and follow the Mississippi Rules of Ethical Conduct.

The Ethics Committee of the Mississippi State Bar has opined that Rule 1.16 of the code indicates that a lawyer may withdraw from representing a client for good cause if withdrawal can be accomplished without material adverse effect on the client. Rule 6.2(c) indicates that a lawyer should not avoid appointment to represent a person except for good cause such as the client being so repugnant to the lawyer as to be likely to impair the client-lawyer relationship or the lawyer’s ability to represent the client.