Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, I’ve undertaken the representation of a client in a series of business dealings. It turns out that the client is simply a jerk. He treats me and others with a lack of respect, and sometimes in a demeaning manner. That said, he always eventually follows my advice, although complaining about it, and promptly pays his bills. I can’t say that he has breached any obligations of our engagement letter agreement, and he has not asked me to do anything illegal or unethical, at least yet. I just don’t like him and am tired of working with him, as is the rest of my team.

We just started a new matter, but after another one of his rants today, I’ve had enough. Can we just quit representing him and withdraw from the matter, even though he hasn’t breached any obligations or done anything legally wrong?