Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California

Yes. You have the right to ask for copies of your paperwork and documentation. Additionally, your attorney has an ethical duty to provide you with such information within a reasonable time. Additionally, an attorney is not allowed to hold such files as ransom form payment of legal fees. The procedures and costs related to providing a copy of the file are usually explained in an attorneys' fee agreement. http://www.mwattorneys.com

The client's file belongs to the client. You are entitled to the originals. Of course that would hamper the attorney handling your case, so you generally want to ask for copies, and the attorney can charge you for that, but if you want the file it's yours.

Yes, you are entitled to ask for copies of documents. I probably spend 1/4 of my office time just ensuring that my clients receive both electronic and paper versions of documents.