I hired a lawyer to represent me in a civil suite on a securities and exchange case. The first lawyer told me he was in over his head and wanted to pull in specialty lawyer so we did that. The new lawyer seemed to be very interested in my case.
I asked him how long would it be before I heard anything from him and he told me about 3 weeks. Well it has been 7 weeks and I have not heard a word. I sent him one email and asked him if he has made any progress and he did not respond.
Is this common practice among lawyers? He is being paid a percentage so I am out no money. But still I would like to know what kind of progress is being made or if he is taking this case or what. He told me he would send me a contract in the mail that has not shown up either. Do Lawyers let you know if they are taking the case after all or do they just expect you to catch on?
This is for all the lawyers reading this if you tell a client you will be in touch in a certain about of time do it.
2007-11-16 03:22:23 · 11 answers · asked by mdjgirl7 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I think it is incredibly rude not to touch base with your client in a set time frame.
2007-11-16 03:23:12 · update #1
Report him to the bar association in your state.
2007-11-16 03:26:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
it is not only rude, it is unethical. There are ethical rules regarding communication with your clients. One example rule "A lawyer should keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information." While this is a Kentucky rule, I am absolutely sure there is a similar rule in your state. Call him and specifically request information about your case, follow up the phone call (whether he answers or not) with a certified letter. I would call your original attorney as well and ask him what is going on. If you do not get a response from either attorney, file complaints on them with your state bar association. Civil cases have statutes of limitations regarding when they are filed, etc. These guys need to let you know what's going on and make sure they do not miss any deadlines.
2007-11-16 11:31:38 · answer #2 · answered by Heather Mac 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an attorney, I always keep in touch with my clients. Most will get back with you in day or two. Its an ethical violation for a lawyer not to communicate with a lawyer, as is delaying the case. Make sure to call the office, leave a message that you want your call returned. He will likely respond. Also, let the other attorney know, maybe he will help get a response.
2007-11-16 11:27:29 · answer #3 · answered by WVAttorney 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is quite common. It is very frustrating, when usually you have a lot riding on the case. Most are extremely busy, I'll give them that, but a call/email certainly doesn't take long.
I've been waiting for my case to move forward.. I paid the lawyer 3 months ago ! The only correspondence we've had, I've had to initiate !
To their benefit though, the legal system/ courts are typically bogged down, and when you couple that with the, well, procedureal bias, i'll call it , you feel like it'll never be done
2007-11-16 11:29:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you are the employer, the attorney is your employee. You have a right to know how your case is progressing.
Remember you are not the attorneys only employer. It is possible your attorney is involved in someone else's case that is going to court right away, or has to meet the filing deadlines of another case.
Even though your case is on hold, he should have contacted you to let you have a progress report. It only takes a couple of minutes to tell you things are waiting for a response from the courts, or what ever the delay is.
2007-11-16 11:29:23 · answer #5 · answered by Ranger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They prioritize their work. They take the "lowest hanging fruit", the assignments that will yield the most cash in the least amount of time. You're suite must not be worth very much, or is complicated.
But that should not excuse a broken promise. Find another attorney.
2007-11-16 11:30:48 · answer #6 · answered by TryItOnce 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lawyers are crooks they charge you for everything without doing anything. When my lawyer ignored me for a few weeks I called him and siad you have 24 hours to return this call or your fired. How about that I got a call back within a few hours. Give him a time window on a call back or you wiull fire him. Call the phone not a e-mail their excused could be they couldn't get into their e-mail.
2007-11-16 11:35:00 · answer #7 · answered by john a 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Depends on the practice and money $$$ involved.
2007-11-16 11:32:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is normal. They always seem to be to busy to touch base with their client. I had to call mine to find out. He never returned calls. They don't care at all.
2007-11-16 11:27:13 · answer #9 · answered by jmc24 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes that's practically their jobs.
2007-11-16 11:25:35 · answer #10 · answered by She can't love you! 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋