I had a court case going on because a girl hit me in a car accidnet. My lawyer one week before the settlement conference left me because the lack of his effort and time put into my case. His mistakes lead to me loosing thousands of dollars. I had to go to the settlement conference and I settled however now I regret it somewhat because I feel I was taken advantage of by the other attorney because it was them against me. Is there anything I can possibly do now even though we signed to settle? I'm going to contact my local bar to try to either sue my past lawyer or get some of the money I should have as I lost a lot.
Help please.
2007-09-22 22:53:15 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I had to go alone because I had one week from the day he decided he would basically abandoned me, it wasn't enough time to find another lawyer.
2007-09-22 23:03:55 · update #1
In almost all states, a lawyer is prohibited from leaving a client until and unless the client has found some other representation -- especially when important hearings or conferences are shortly coming up.
The exception is if you fired the attorney -- if it was your choice, then he is both allowed and required to leave immediately.
But assuming it wasn't your choice to fire him -- then you can sue him (in most states) for malpractice.
Independent of that, you can ask the judge to set aside the settlement on the grounds that you were not properly represented -- the judge might do that, but there is no guarantee.
2007-09-23 04:03:26 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being that I'm not a lawyer, I'd think that there is little you can do, now that the settlement was signed. But if your lawyer failed to act in your best interest, you certainly can file a complaint about him to the attorney grievance commission in your state.
That you negotiated in a position of ignorance is not really much of a defense. Without a lawyer, you could have reasonably requested postponement of the conference until a suitable replacement lawyer could be obtained.
2007-09-23 06:04:42 · answer #2 · answered by Marc X 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why did your lawyer abandon you? decent lawyers don't abandon you. he had to have filed a motion to withdraw and that motion will state the reasons. and there is no way he got this heard by the court in a week. no one made you sign a settlement agreement and you could have gotten the mediation moved. if your lawyer was truly incompetent, contact the local bar and file a grievance. i don't think you're giving all the facts.
2007-09-23 06:39:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You went to the settlement conference without a lawyer. That was a mistake. Once you agree to settle, that's the end of it. You will not have any recourse against your ex attorney.
I infer, from your approach, that you wanted too much money for your claim.
2007-09-23 06:01:32 · answer #4 · answered by regerugged 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
did the lawyer ask you at any time if you were firing him? sounds like to me he did, for the ability to abandon you to the vultures.this is not a good mark on his professional career and i am certain The judge will if not already,soon find out about this houdini attorney , which means life will be hell and lifestyle will be poverty, until he moves to another place
2007-10-01 02:00:53 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you dont need an attorney to argue the amount.....you had some idea of what was going on, if you knew he wasnt doing the job....you screwed up by signing/agreeing, not much can be done now..........
2007-09-23 10:47:00 · answer #6 · answered by DennistheMenace 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋