As a lawyer with nearly 30 years of experience, I have seen my fair share of cases where clients feel that their lawyer has not done their job properly. It can be a frustrating and confusing situation, but it's important to know that you have options and rights as a client. In this article, I will discuss what to do if you believe your lawyer is not fulfilling their duties, and how to handle the situation in a professional and effective manner. If you receive a bill from your lawyer that seems out of line with your agreement, don't just pay it without question. It's important to ask your lawyer for an explanation of the charges and to request a reduction if you feel it is necessary.
If your lawyer refuses to cooperate, you can consider seeking non-binding fee arbitration with a state or local bar association. This allows an outside party to make a neutral decision regarding the finances and invoices in question. It's important to note that arbitration can be either binding or non-binding, meaning that you have the option to reject the decision made by the arbitrator. To learn more about this process, I recommend reaching out to your local bar association for more information. If you have reached the point where you no longer feel comfortable working with your lawyer, it is within your rights to fire them and seek new representation.
You may also want to consult with a second lawyer who can evaluate the actions of your first lawyer and advise you on how to handle any bills or complaints that may arise. Remember, it is your absolute right as a client to fire your lawyer at any time and for any reason. If you feel that your lawyer is not doing their job properly or if your relationship with them has become intolerable, it's important to take action. Your lawyer is responsible for responding to your reasonable requests for information, so if you have made an effort to contact them and have not received a response, you may have grounds for concern. If you believe that your lawyer has acted unethically, you may want to consider filing a complaint with the State Bar Association. They offer an online complaint form as well as a PDF version that can be downloaded from their website.
You can also call their office to discuss the complaint process. In cases involving personal injury, there is often sensitive information that must be shared between the client and their lawyer in order for the case to be properly handled. As a result, lawyers have a professional duty to keep this information confidential and secure. As a Board-certified personal injury lawyer, I have seen firsthand the importance of maintaining client confidentiality. If you have been misrepresented by another lawyer, the team at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA can help you understand your rights and options moving forward.
We are dedicated to protecting our clients' best interests and ensuring that they receive the justice they deserve.
