What should I say in the letter to the lawyer I'm firing?

It's best to keep it simple and to the point. For instance:

"Dear (insert attorney's name here),
I will no longer be needing your services in my case, as I have decided to hire another attorney. I will need to get my case file at your earliest convenience. Please contact me at (your phone number or email address) when my file is ready to be picked up."
 
Handling this letter yourself instead of having your new attorney handle it will save you a little money. If you don't get a timely response from your old attorney, then have your new attorney follow up.  We don't recommend citing all the reasons you've chosen to fire your attorney, and definitely advise against using the termination as an opportunity to launch into a tirade against your attorney.

 

Will changing lawyers hurt my case?

If your goal is to get an attorney you think will better represent you, then changing attorneys won’t hurt your case. It may, however, cause delays since your new attorney will need time to get familiar with your case. This will also cost you money. If there’s a rapidly approaching hearing on the docket or a deadline for responding to interrogatories, it’s probably not good timing to get another attorney on board. At least wait until there’s a lull in the action.

As for perceptions, as long as you're not routinely changing attorneys the court will not look upon your decision negatively. However, if you repeatedly fire and hire attorneys, it definitely reflects poorly on you. Before you fire your current attorney, make sure the one you're hiring is on board with your expectations and be willing to stick with your decision. 

If you're considering firing your attorney, it's important to take a critical look at the state of your case and determine if your attorney is dropping the ball or if your expectations are unreasonable--and unlikely to be met by a different attorney. In many cases, problems clients have with their attorneys can be ironed out with a frank discussion. In other cases, it's best to look for an attorney you believe will do a better job for you. 

Before it gets to the point where you're taking steps to fire your attorney, consider having a tough conversation with your attorney. If he/she knows why you are considering leaving, they may change how they handle your case.