Under what circumstances may a lawyer withdraw from representing a client?

Withdrawing from representing a client is justified when the client seeks to pursue an illegal course of action. A lawyer has an ethical duty to avoid assisting in a client's unlawful activities, as doing so could implicate the lawyer in the wrongdoing and violate various rules of professional conduct. This obligation stems from the broader responsibility lawyers have to uphold the law and the ethical standards of the legal profession.

When a client expresses an intent to engage in illegal activities, the lawyer must take steps to withdraw from the representation to maintain their integrity and comply with ethical obligations. This ensures that the lawyer is not tacitly condoning or facilitating unlawful behavior, which could lead to serious professional repercussions.

While factors like a client's uncooperativeness, conflicts of interest, or mere busyness may justify withdrawal in certain situations, they do not carry the same weight of ethical urgency as a client seeking to pursue illegal actions. The stance against representation in the face of illegality is firmly rooted in legal ethics and serves as a crucial safeguard for the integrity of the legal profession.