How To Know If Your Lawyer Is Selling You Out?

Nov 2

Written By Law Offices of Dizengoff & Yost Immigration Lawyers Philadelphia

Red Flag: Your Lawyer Consistently Misses Deadlines And Appointments

Lawyers meet deadlines and take appointments seriously for various reasons. One reason is to ensure your case has the best chance of working out in your favor. In addition, lawyers do so to show that they take cases seriously and that they can perform professionally and ethically. The statute of limitations says that documents and information about a claim must be taken care of and given to the court.

The American Bar Association states that 8.6 percent of legal malpractice cases directly result from a lawyer failing to provide the documents needed to move the case forward. If the attorney's inability to set priorities has worsened the matter, this may be a case of legal malpractice.

Finding a lawyer who can represent you from a professional standpoint while caring for your time and effort is imperative for a well-ordered, trouble-free case.

Contact the Law Offices of Dizengoff and Yost by calling 267-223-5862 if you have questions or concerns regarding your legal matter.

How Can You Tell Or Know If Your Lawyer Is Selling You Out?

Your Lawyer Appears To Be Uninterested In Your Case

If you hire a lawyer and they agree to represent you in court, you should expect a professional relationship with them. This relationship allows the lawyer and client to join together, find common ground from an exceptionally moral standpoint, and move forward with the same goal. Both sides of the relationship should hold the other party accountable for achieving the requirements for a successful case. However, a lawyer who makes their client feel important is a lawyer who will stick out to anyone involved.

Understanding the main objective that clients come to them to gain legal help, be mindful of seeking a lawyer who shows interest and respect not only towards the case in general but your time as well. Being a potential client in need of help, if a lawyer doesn't get back to you within a reasonable amount of time, find someone who will make you feel as though they are always trying to put you first.

An uninterested Lawyer often rushes clients, cannot suggest proper decision-making procedures, and needs more transparency regarding the client's understanding of the law. This failure causes a strain of uneasiness for the client, who is unsure of where the case will end up. Avoid a lawyer who only respects the monetary outcome of the case. Your lawyer should always value your concerns surrounding your case.

You Are Being Pushed To Decide Quickly To Settle Your Case By Your Lawyer

If you feel your lawyer urgently prompts you to settle the case, it's time to reevaluate your next move before deciding based on time rather than ethics or logic. A lawyer is there to guide clients through the case while helping them understand what's going on simultaneously. Many people seeking legal help are unfamiliar with the legal logistics, so it becomes essential that potential clients settle with a lawyer who aims to help them make decisions based on their understanding of the case, all while knowing what's best for them.

If you are being rushed to make life-altering choices on the spot or have yet to be able to understand what's going on in the case, the lawyer has shown they do not have your best interests at heart.

Find someone you can trust who will go the extra step to ease any nerves by helping you understand the underlying aspects of that specific court case rather than simply providing suggestions for your next decision. Remember, it is a two-way relationship you have formed with your lawyer. You can make these decisions together.

Lack Of Communication: Ignoring Your Calls And Not Returning Them

If your lawyer is incapable of returning phone calls or ignoring your calls in general, it is in your best interest to send a certified letter to their office questioning the failure to communicate appropriately and advising them you are pursuing a new lawyer if things don't change. Good communication is crucial in maintaining an attorney-client relationship and must continue throughout the case, hoping to attain maximum compensation.

Clients can view the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.4, which portrays how a lawyer should maintain communication. While it varies from case to case, a basic understanding of what you can expect from your lawyer can better prepare you for the case if communication issues arise.

Lack Of Transparency And Honesty In Billing And Payments

Having to deal with a lack of transparency regarding billing and payments is among the top issues and concerns for people looking to hire a lawyer to build a solid client-attorney relationship. It is common for clients to need to be made aware of how a lawyer is to bill them and how much they charge. While you cannot expect a client to always have the knowledge needed to comprehend how lawyers use their time and determine a bill, there are ways to ease confusion going into it.

Being straightforward about your payment and billing concerns when hiring a lawyer allows them to understand your level of understanding and expectations as a client. If a transparency issue goes beyond the client's control, there are ways to file a complaint if you recognize your lawyer has misled or lied to you about payments.

Lacking Confidence In The Courtroom And Before The Judge

Noticing a lack of confidence portrayed in the Courtroom while your lawyer is representing you can leave clients in an uncomfortable situation to maneuver. To approach your lawyer about their lack of confidence in the courtroom is a situation most would assume they wouldn't have to address. While clients can discuss these concerns both maturely and appropriately, clients do not need or want the added uneasiness of having to confront their lawyer's stature.

Confidence and reputation go hand-in-hand, so it is imperative to do in-depth research on the lawyer's dynamic before hiring them to represent you. This research helps avoid any uncomfortable confrontations in the future and ensures a smooth process.

Not Keeping You Informed, Not Listening To Your Questions, And Avoiding Answering Them

Clients must understand that asking quick questions can only sometimes produce quick answers. While a lawyer's job is to help answer the legal questions of their clients, their job is also to properly understand what the client is asking to provide thorough answers. A thoughtful, methodical lawyer will know an appropriate time frame for getting back to clients and answering their questions.

If you notice your lawyer continuously avoids your queries, and it poses a severe threat to the case, there is a solution. You can send a certified letter to the lawyer's office questioning their failure to communicate appropriately and let them know it's in your best interest to seek a Lawyer who can meet your needs, assuming your needs are appropriate. The Law Offices of Dizengoff and Yost are always available at 267-223-5862 to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your case.

Conflict Of Interest

Attorneys have a professional duty to ensure that their representation of their clients is of the highest quality. To achieve this, they must avoid any potential conflicts of interest that could have a negative impact on the client's legal situation.