In RI-203, this situation was addressed. The opinion further states that in the absence of an agreement for the client to pay for file copies, a lawyer may not ethically charge the client for copying the representation file. A withdrawing lawyer may not condition release of a client's property on the agreement by successor counsel to pay or advance the unpaid portions of a client's bill. A client's file also includes the personal notes of the lawyer and other work product prepared by the lawyer. I am changing firms.
Clients always have the unconditional right to choose a lawyer of their own choice.
However, when a client goes to a law firm and retains the firm, there is a presumption that the client hired the firm, not the individual lawyer assigned to the case. Whenever possible, it is best for the departing lawyer and the lawyer's former firm to send a jointly signed letter to the clients of the lawyer. Usually this letter will state that the lawyer is leaving the firm and that the client has the choice to decide whether to stay with the firm or to request that the file be transferred to the departing lawyer. Any decision by the client to transfer the representation should be in writing. The letter usually reaffirms the client's choice of counsel but encourages the client to stay with the firm.