Lawyers are ethically permitted to withdraw if they have lost confidence in their client telling them the truth, at least in Alberta. The relevant part of the Code of Conduct is as follows, including commentary:
Quote:
Optional Withdrawal
2.07 (2) If there has been a serious loss of confidence between the lawyer and the client, the lawyer may withdraw.
Commentary
A lawyer may have a justifiable cause for withdrawal in circumstances indicating a loss of confidence, for example, if a lawyer is deceived by the client, the client refuses to accept and act upon the lawyer’s advice on a significant point, a client is persistently unreasonable or uncooperative in a material respect, or the lawyer is facing difficulty in obtaining adequate instructions from the client. However, the lawyer should not use the threat of withdrawal as a device to force a hasty decision by the client on a difficult question.
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A lawyer in Alberta is also obligated to withdraw when the client is giving instructions to act in contravention of the Code:
Quote:
Obligatory Withdrawal
2.07 (5) A lawyer must withdraw if:
...
(b) a client persists in instructing the lawyer to act contrary to professional ethics...
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My guess is the lawyer is relying on a similar provision or provisions in NY's code. Neither rule provides any insight whatsoever on whether or not the lawyer's client was raped.