Which circumstance does NOT justify permissive withdrawal under California law?

Permissive withdrawal refers to the circumstances under which a lawyer may withdraw from representing a client, as permitted by the California Rules of Professional Conduct. The correct understanding of when a lawyer can withdraw is crucial to maintaining professional responsibility and ethics.

Withdrawal is considered permissible in instances where the client becomes unreasonably difficult or if they request the lawyer to commit a crime. Similarly, if a client is breaching their obligations to the lawyer, such as failing to pay fees or providing necessary cooperation, that can also justify withdrawal.

However, the situation where a lawyer can no longer afford to represent a client does not qualify as a permissible basis for withdrawal. Financial strain is often a normal aspect of running a legal practice, and lawyers are expected to manage their finances without abandoning clients. The ethical duties outlined by the California Bar prioritize the continuation of representation unless there are specific ethical or legal grounds to withdraw. Therefore, claiming inability to afford representation does not meet the threshold for permissive withdrawal under California law.