Rule 6.2 Accepting Appointments

When a court asks a lawyer to take on a case, the lawyer generally has to say yes. Lawyers can't turn down these appointments just because they don't want the case or the client seems difficult to work with. Courts rely on lawyers to step up and represent people who need it, even when it's not a case the lawyer would have picked for themselves.

There are only a few good reasons a lawyer can refuse. First, if taking the case would force the lawyer to break ethics rules or other laws, they can say no. Second, if the case would cost the lawyer too much money to handle, that counts as a valid reason too. Third, if the lawyer finds the client or the situation so troubling that it would seriously get in the way of doing a good job, they can decline.

Outside of these specific situations, lawyers are expected to accept the appointment and do their best for the client. This rule exists so that people who need legal help can actually get it, even if no lawyer would normally choose to take their case.