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    • attorney's obligation to client
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Question from chuckniceNov-6

   I have a friend who is currently serving a life sentence in federal custody and has paid an attorney to  appeal his conviction.  Recently, the attorney informed my friend that he would be taking a position with the government, and therefore would be unable to continue to represent him.  In response  to my friend's inquiry about the fact that he (the attorney) has been paid, the attorney stated that he would get a public defender to take my friend's case.

   I realize there would be a conflict of interest were he to continue to represent my friend while simultaneously holding a position with the government, but 1) he certainly has an obligation to his client; and 2) the whole promise of "providing" a public defender (who would have no obligation) is just b.s.  The fact that it would be unwise to try  to force an unwilling attorney to provide representation, notwithstanding, what does he owe my friend, and what can he do?

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LegalwriterOne Nov-6 80819.2
He can ask for an accounting of the fees he paid but he can't force the attorney to continue to represent him.  Slavery was outlawed by the 13th amendment.
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Lmlmlm Nov-20 80819.3
i didnt see any mention of anything about slavery in the question......
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