Pat Anderson, who began representing the Schindlers in April 2001, just weeks before Schiavo's feeding tube was removed and later reinserted for the first time, said her departure from the case is amicable.

``I'm really tired, and I've rolled this stone up the hill for a long time,'' Anderson said.

The Schindlers could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.

Anderson said their new attorney, David C. Gibbs III, of Seminole, joined the family's legal team early this year and is well versed in religious rights litigation.