- SAMPLE DISENGAGEMENT LETTER - UNPAID FEES RE: [Subject] Dear [Name]: During the past [time], it has been our pleasure to serve you as counsel in [subject matter title]. In the course of that representation, you have paid us [dollar amount already paid] in legal fees and expenses. Unfortunately, contrary to our Engagement Agreement, you have not paid our statements in a timely manner for the past few months. At this time, the outstanding and overdue fees and expenses total approximately [dollar amount currently owing]. Our firm desires to continue our relationship, but does not have the ability to finance your case. Moreover, you expressly agreed that the hourly fees and expenses in this matter would be kept current. We have continued to represent you for the past [time], even though each month the outstanding fees and expenses increased. We did so because we value our relationship with you and would like to continue representing you. At this point, in our opinion, the trial court will permit us to withdraw. There is still sufficient time for you to retain other counsel without jeopardizing your case or adversely affecting the court's calendar. However, if we wait several more months, it is possible that one of these conditions for withdrawal may not exist. Your new counsel may wish to discuss this case with us. That would be to your advantage both substantively and economically. We are willing to do so as long as satisfactory arrangements are made to compensate us for the additional time and expense which will be incurred. In addition, it will be necessary to agree on a plan to gradually reduce the outstanding fees and expenses. We also have certain work product which has been generated during the past [time]. We are willing to share it with your new counsel to the extent our legal obligations require us to do so in the absence of full payment of our fees and expenses. I enclose a petition for withdrawal which will be filed with the court ten days from your receipt of this letter. In the meantime, if you wish us to continue representing you, we would be pleased to do so if satisfactory arrangements are made to take care of the outstanding and overdue fees and expenses, as well as to take care of the future fees and expenses. I look forward to hearing from you, and remain hopeful the representation can continue. American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com Very truly yours, [Insert Lawyer's Name] [Insert Firm's Name] American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com