
Quoting
I. RETAINING FILE AND PROPERTY
Can an attorney keep my file when he/she no longer represents me?
Under certain circumstances, an attorney can assert a legal claim. However, depending on the circumstances, an attorney may be required to provide the client with a copy of his/her file in order to avoid damaging the client's legal position in the underlying matter for which the attorney was retained.
Do I have to pay for a copy of my file?
If you have paid an attorney for representation, Pennsylvania law says that the file is your property at the conclusion of the case, and you should not be charged for copies the lawyer makes to keep for his or her own purposes. However, if the attorney has already provided you with copies of documents and you request subsequent or additional copies, you may be charged. It also depends on what the fee agreement states.