What duty does a successor lawyer have following the withdrawal of another attorney?

The duty of a successor lawyer following the withdrawal of another attorney primarily involves informing clients of the withdrawal. This obligation is rooted in the principles of client communication and transparency. When an attorney withdraws from representing a client, it is essential for the client to be notified so they can make informed decisions about their legal representation going forward. This duty ensures that clients are aware of their situation and are not left in the dark about the change in their legal representation.

Maintaining client confidentiality is also a critical duty, but the option regarding informing clients directly addresses the immediate responsibility of the successor lawyer in relation to the previous attorney's withdrawal. While client confidentiality remains paramount throughout the attorney-client relationship, the active step of communicating the withdrawal is essential for proper client care and management.

Continuing to represent existing clients would depend on the successor lawyer's willingness and ability to take on that representation, which is not a blanket duty following a withdrawal. Similarly, charging double fees has no foundational support in legal practice; ethical billing practices govern how fees are determined and communicated.

In summary, the obligation to inform clients of the withdrawal is essential for maintaining a professional and ethical legal practice and ensuring that clients are adequately supported during transitions in their representation.