[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/when-can-i-fire-my-attorney\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/when-can-i-fire-my-attorney\/","headline":"When Can I Fire My Attorney in Georgia?","name":"When Can I Fire My Attorney in Georgia?","description":"You can fire your personal injury attorney whenever you want in Georgia. However, it\u2019s a good idea to consider the potential consequences to your case and finances before you do. If you\u2019re unhappy with your current lawyer and how they\u2019ve handled your case, you should immediately consult another...","datePublished":"2023-05-08","dateModified":"2026-02-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/johnsherrod\/#Person","name":"John Sherrod","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/johnsherrod\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/63ed235ae61137a2e8dec557ea4cd48dee882e0dc0bbcf9da6642f47d925925d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/63ed235ae61137a2e8dec557ea4cd48dee882e0dc0bbcf9da6642f47d925925d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","width":300,"height":109}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/fire-attorney.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/fire-attorney.jpg","height":666,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/when-can-i-fire-my-attorney\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DVQnqUo2hEU#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DVQnqUo2hEU","name":"Douglasville & West Georgia Personal Injury Lawyers | Sherrod & Bernard","description":"For more than 26 years, the personal injury attorneys of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., have been standing up for the rights of innocent people who were harmed due to the negligence of others. We understand the serious toll an unexpected injury can take on a person and a family. The medical bills, lost income, and other expenses can quickly become overwhelming. Our lawyers are committed to taking as much of the burden off you as possible.\n\nWe have earned a reputation for being hardworking, honest, and responsive. Call us today and learn why so many people throughout Douglasville and the surrounding areas trust our personal injury law firm to handle their serious injury claims.\n___________________________________________________________\n\nSherrod & Bernard, P.C. - Personal Injury Lawyers in Douglasville\n8470 Price Ave \nDouglasville, GA 30134\nPhone: (770) 920 - 8350\nwww.sherrodandbernard.com","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DVQnqUo2hEU\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DVQnqUo2hEU\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DVQnqUo2hEU\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DVQnqUo2hEU\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DVQnqUo2hEU\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2019-04-10T18:05:38+00:00","duration":"PT30S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DVQnqUo2hEU","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w","name":"Sherrod and Bernard","description":"When you are in a legal bind, you need an experienced attorney you can count on to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel. Every lawyer under the sun will tell you that he or she is the right person for the job, but you need a firm backed with a successful track record. You need the firm of Sherrod & Bernard, serving the Douglasville area.\n\nAfter attending the University of Georgia together, attorneys John Sherrod and Ken Bernard founded the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. in 1992. From the very beginning, the goal of our firm has been to provide each and every client with the quality personal service and skilled representation they deserve. You can count on our work ethic and our commitment to our clients.\n\nYou need a highly skilled attorney to successfully resolve your legal issues. One of our lawyers can help. Schedule a free consultation by calling our Douglasville office at 770-920-8350.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/uK-5K9pyHHwlk4D1Wclej9JOOudzsipnxVRsoc1u0fyFTl1Ykw0P1mMXhCw6PbtfZAwzpbuF_A=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DVQnqUo2hEU#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DVQnqUo2hEU#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DVQnqUo2hEU&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DVQnqUo2hEU#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":246087}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DVQnqUo2hEU#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":2}]},"about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":1021,"articleBody":"You can fire your personal injury attorney whenever you want in Georgia. However, it\u2019s a good idea to consider the potential consequences to your case and finances before you do. If you\u2019re unhappy with your current lawyer and how they\u2019ve handled your case, you should immediately consult another one.What Are Some Valid Reasons for Firing My Attorney?Firing your attorney is a big decision you should not take lightly. But after careful consideration, you might decide that salvaging the attorney-client relationship just isn\u2019t possible. Many accident victims fire their attorneys because:They don\u2019t receive appropriate guidance or feedback from the lawyer as needed.They aren\u2019t confident in the attorney\u2019s abilities or competence.They feel uneasy about the attorney\u2019s judgment or legal ethics.The lawyer\u2019s actions indicate a lack of interest in the case.The attorney-client relationship is contentious and full of disagreements.The lawyer charges additional fees or costs not included in the contract.There are frequent disagreements over key decisions, such as whether to settle or go to trial.The attorney does not communicate well or respond to inquiries promptly.The attorney missed a critical deadline or made another significant error.The attorney pressures the client into decisions they\u2019re not comfortable making.Can Firing My Attorney Cause Issues with My Case?It is your right to fire your personal injury lawyer whenever you choose.\u00a0But before you do so, you should consider why you want to end the relationship, whether another attorney could make a significant difference, and how switching lawyers could affect your case. Changing counsel could lead to numerous issues depending on how far along you are in the process.When you hire a new lawyer, they\u2019ll need to review case-related documentation and evidence to catch up before they can get started. They also need to communicate with you about your legal goals and develop a new legal strategy accordingly. This can delay the overall process and your financial recovery.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDoes It Cost Me Anything If I Fire My Attorney and Hire Another Before a Settlement Offer?Another potential problem with firing your lawyer during a personal injury case is the cost. Personal injury lawyers often take cases on contingency. They don\u2019t charge upfront because they plan to take a portion of any money they win for the case after it\u2019s over. A contingency fee is a percentage of the insurance settlement or trial verdict your lawyer wins for you. They charge this as compensation for their efforts and reimbursement for case-related costs.When you switch lawyers partway through your case, your original lawyer no longer has the opportunity to win your case and charge their fees. If you fire one attorney and hire another just before settling your case, your first lawyer might demand compensation for work they\u2019ve already done on your case. Before you fire a personal injury lawyer late in the game, consult other attorneys who can help you decide whether the potential financial losses are worth the risk.Firing a lawyer early on in your case isn\u2019t usually as problematic since they likely only did a small amount of work so far. If you act quickly, you could get the representation you want from a new lawyer without your original lawyer demanding hefty fees.If your original lawyer insists on getting paid, the overall contingency fee percentage you initially agreed to could stay the same \u2013 meaning you wouldn\u2019t have to pay double the legal fees. Sometimes, your new attorney might split their payment with your old attorney after securing compensation for you. The best way to determine the financial implications of firing an attorney is to consult with another attorney.What Are Attorney\u2019s Liens?An attorney\u2019s lien is a claim your initial lawyer might file after you fire them. It secures their right to recover money from your settlement payment or trial award as compensation for their work on your case before you switched attorneys.Is It Hard to Fire My Attorney?The decision to fire a personal injury lawyer can be difficult, as can the potential fallout of your decision. However, the actual process of firing a lawyer is easy. The contract you signed to begin your attorney-client relationship will likely have a specific provision for nullification. You can usually follow simple steps to negate the agreement and fire your attorney.How Do I Fire My Attorney?If you decide that firing your attorney is the right move, here are the steps you can take to get started:Review the contract \u2013\u00a0You should review the legal agreement you signed when you hired your attorney. Look for a section about terminating the attorney-client relationship and follow the required steps.Find a new attorney \u2013\u00a0You should not fire your current lawyer before hiring a new one. You could experience significant delays in your case if you go without representation, even for a few days.Provide a written letter \u2013\u00a0Always end the legal relationship in writing. Draft a letter informing your lawyer of your intention to terminate the relationship. Explicitly state that you are firing them and that they should no longer work on your case. Send the letter by certified mail with a return receipt so you have proof that they received it. In your letter, you can also request that they forward your case file to your new lawyer.Inform the court \u2013\u00a0If you\u2019re in the middle of a lawsuit, you must file a notice informing the presiding judge of your change in legal counsel. Your new lawyer can do this for you.Contact a Georgia Personal Injury LawyerYou should be able to trust and depend on your personal injury attorney. They\u2019re responsible for managing your case and pursuing fair compensation for the harm you suffered. Never settle for an attorney who doesn\u2019t care about you or your case. If you\u2019re considering firing your personal injury lawyer, contact\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., to learn more about your options in a free consultation.Visit Our Georgia Personal Injury Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"When Can I Fire My Attorney in Georgia?","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/when-can-i-fire-my-attorney\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]