Generally, it is best to let a lawyer leave a case, especially if there is a breakdown in the lawyer-client relationship unless it would cause serious harm to your case. For instance, if trial will be soon or there is an upcoming mediation or if some other important matter is happening in your case, your case could be prejudiced if the lawyer leaves.

If you are planning to sue the lawyer, your should certainly release them before bringing a lawsuit because the relationship has broken down.

Hope that helps. If it did please click accept or the smiley face

Why does he want to be removed from the record if you are negotiating final settlement?

That does not sound like a good reason to get off the record. However, if he wants off, you should probably retain a new lawyer

You can have his bill assessed in assessment court - a special court for reviewing lawyer's bills

Yes - if the money was for fees and disbursements and if you were sent a bill

No. To get the bill reduced you will need to go to Assessment court

I cannot tell you for sure here, because it depends on the details of your matter. You can oppose the motion if you wish. But remember, if the lawyer is not happy, it is probably best not to have him continue

what will you sue him for in small claims court?

but you can only win if you have damages. What damages do you have?

that is damages

Damages would be harm resulting from his breach of contract

For instance, if the case did not settle simply because he breached the contract

But you would have had to pay the fees anyway, so that is not breach of contract

For the fees, you should go to Assessment Court.

you need to get certain things clear so that you can make good decisions

First, there is your lawsuit.

You need to make sure that your lawsuit survives. That means you need a new lawyer. A case that big would be very difficult for a lay person.

If you cannot pay a new lawyer, you can try opposing the motion. But if you succeed, you will have a lawyer who is upset at you working for you. This is not good

But, you must try to preserve your rights in the lawsuit

next issue is the lawyer's fees

If you paid too much money, you should have the fees assessed. There is a time limit so you should act quickly. I am not sure what it is - about 30 days

stand by while I see if I can find information about how to do this online

Here is a document that shows you how to assess your lawyer's bill. Click here.

And here is information from the Law Society of Upper Canada: Click here

I am assuming you are in Ontario. If you are in another province, the procedure may be different

So what I am trying to say is that you can fight this but you have two different issues. The first and more important one is your lawsuit against your employer. The second is the lawyer getting off the record and his bill

I have to go now. If you have further questions, post here and I will answer later. Otherwise, please click accept or else I wont get paid