lawyer legal-terms attorney-client-privilege
Irreconcilable differences between attorney and client?
<p>What type of irreconcilable differences might exist between an attorney and client to cause the attorney to withdraw from a divorce case?  Is this code language for not paying attorney fees or is it used for a wide range of possible attorney-client difficulties?</p>

<p>Comments <a href="https://www.dcbar.org/bar-resources/legal-ethics/amended-rules/rule1-16.cfm" rel="noreferrer">here</a> and <a href="http://www.dcbar.org/bar-resources/publications/washington-lawyer/articles/june-2006-bar-counsel.cfm" rel="noreferrer">here</a> suggest that &quot;irreconcilable differences&quot; can be used to explain &quot;withdrawal when the client fails to compensate the attorney&quot;, but it can mean many other things. The point of the phrase is to not divulge the reason.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Amidst the various scenarios discussed under Rule 1.16(b), subsections (3) and (4) permit withdrawal when the client fails to compensate the attorney [...]</p>
<p>When it comes time for an attorney to prepare the motion for withdrawal for such reasons, however, [...] an attorney may consider citing the ubiquitous “irreconcilable differences” in the motion to withdraw, rather than divulging pernicious information about the client.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>However, it can mean many other things as well. The point of the phrase is to not divulge the reason for withdrawal.</p>

<p>Don't assume that it is "code" for anything in particular: it just means that they can't work together for any number of reasons.</p>

<p>Perhaps it is a dispute about money, perhaps it is a professional disagreement (i.e. The client won't agree with the professional advice) or perhaps it is personal (i.e. They hate each other).</p>
