When you hire a lawyer, you are putting your trust in that person to help you with a legal matter. But what do you do if it seems like your lawyer is not helping you?
Common problems you may experience with attorneys:
Table of Contents
- 1. Not Communicating with You Regularly
- 2. Not Available When You Need Them
- 3. The Lawyer is Not Doing What You Want
- 4. Not Upfront and Honest About Billing
- 5. Unprofessional or Discourteous
- 6. Dishonest or Unethical
- 7. Not Following Through on Promises
- 8. Disrespectful
- 9. Not Confident in Their Abilities
- 10. Not Providing Straightforward Answers
- 11. Not Being Prepared
- 12. Not Returning Your Calls or Emails
- Measures to Take if Your Attorney Isn’t Doing Their Job
- Final Thought
1. Not Communicating with You Regularly
One of the most frustrating things about having a lawyer is not being able to get in touch with them. Your lawyer should be keeping you updated on the status of your case regularly.
If you feel like you’re in the dark or not getting timely updates, that’s a problem. A good lawyer will make sure to keep you in the loop and will respond to your questions and concerns in a timely manner.
2. Not Available When You Need Them
Your lawyer should be available when you need them. If you’re constantly being put on hold or told that your lawyer is too busy to talk to you, that’s not acceptable. You should be able to get in touch with your lawyer when you need to and have your questions answered in a timely manner.
3. The Lawyer is Not Doing What You Want
If your lawyer is not doing what you want them to do, it could be for a number of reasons. Maybe they think that what you are asking is not in your best interest. Or, it could be that they are not able to do what you want because of the way your case is structured.
In any case, you should talk to your lawyer about your concerns. If they are not able to give you a satisfactory explanation, then it might be time to find a new lawyer.
4. Not Upfront and Honest About Billing
You should feel confident that your lawyer is being upfront and honest with you about billing. If you feel like you’re being kept in the dark or given the run-around when it comes to billing, that’s a red flag.
A good lawyer will be open and transparent about their billing practices and will work with you to find a payment plan that works for you.
5. Unprofessional or Discourteous
If your lawyer is being unprofessional or discourteous, it’s a sign that they don’t respect you or your case. This can be extremely frustrating, especially if you’re already dealing with a stressful legal issue. If your lawyer is making you feel like your case isn’t a priority or they’re not taking your concerns seriously, it’s time to find someone new.
6. Dishonest or Unethical
Honesty and integrity are essential qualities in a good lawyer. If you find out that your lawyer has been dishonest or unethical, it’s a dealbreaker. This could mean anything from lying to you about the status of your case to doctoring evidence. If you can’t trust your lawyer, you can’t work with them.
7. Not Following Through on Promises
If your lawyer isn’t following through on promises or isn’t meeting deadlines, it can be incredibly frustrating. Not only is this a waste of your time and money, but it can also hurt your case.
If you’ve been waiting for weeks or even months for your lawyer to do something and they’re still dragging their feet, it’s time to find someone new.
8. Disrespectful
In the legal arena, respect is everything. If your lawyer is disrespectful to you, your case, or the opposing side, it’s a sign that they’re not taking your case seriously. This can be incredibly frustrating and can even jeopardize your case. If you don’t feel like your lawyer has the utmost respect for you and your case, it’s time to find someone new.
9. Not Confident in Their Abilities
If you’re not confident in your lawyer’s abilities, that’s a problem. You should feel like you can trust your lawyer to handle your case and get you the best possible outcome. If you don’t feel that way, it’s time to find a new lawyer.
10. Not Providing Straightforward Answers
Your lawyer should be able to give you straightforward answers to your questions. If they’re hemming and hawing or trying to avoid giving you a direct answer, that’s not a good sign. A good lawyer will be confident in their ability to represent you and will be able to give you clear and concise answers to your questions.
11. Not Being Prepared
Your lawyer should always be prepared for court appearances and meetings with opposing counsel. If they’re not, that’s a sign that they’re not taking your case seriously. A good lawyer will make sure to be prepared for everything, so you can rest assured that your case is in good hands.
12. Not Returning Your Calls or Emails
Your lawyer should be returning your calls and emails promptly. If you’re constantly having to chase them down for updates or answers to your questions, that’s not acceptable. A good lawyer will make sure to keep you updated on the status of your case and will respond to your questions and concerns in a timely manner.
Measures to Take if Your Attorney Isn’t Doing Their Job
If you’re experiencing any of these problems with your lawyer, it’s time to find someone new. Dealing with legal issues is stressful enough without having to worry about whether or not your lawyer is up to the task.
With so many lawyers to choose from, you should be able to find one that you can trust to handle your case and get you the best possible outcome.
There are a few things you can do if you feel like your lawyer is not helping you:
Talk to Your Lawyer
Explain your concerns and give them a chance to address them. It could be that there is a perfectly good explanation for why they have not been able to do what you want them to do. If they are unable to give you a satisfactory explanation, then you can move on to the next step.
Consider Mediation
If your lawyer isn’t being honest with you or respectful of your case, you may want to consider mediation. Mediation is a process where both parties can sit down and discuss the issues at hand in an effort to resolve them. This can be a helpful way to air grievances and come to a resolution without going to court.
File a Legal Malpractice Claim
If you feel like your lawyer has truly mishandled your case, you may want to file a legal malpractice claim. This is a claim against your lawyer for negligence or wrongful conduct. You will need to prove that your lawyer did not uphold their duty of care to you and that this resulted in damages.
Arbitration
Another option is to file for arbitration. This is a process where both parties can submit their grievances to an arbitrator who will then make a ruling. This can be a helpful way to resolve your issues without going to court.
Fire Your Lawyer
If you’re not happy with the way your lawyer is handling your case, you have the right to fire them. This can be a difficult decision to make, but if you feel like your lawyer is not doing their job, it may be the best option for you.
You should always consult with another lawyer before making this decision to ensure that you’re making the best decision for your case.
Get a New Lawyer
If you’ve decided to fire your lawyer, you’ll need to find a new one. You can ask friends or family for recommendations, or you can look for a lawyer who specializes in your type of case. Once you’ve found a few potential lawyers, you should meet with them to discuss your case and see if they’re a good fit.
Final Thought
No one deserves to have their case mishandled by their lawyer. If you’re not happy with the way your attorney is handling your case, take action and find someone who will do a better job. Your case is important and you deserve the best representation possible.
When it comes to finding a lawyer, it’s important to choose someone you can trust and who will have your best interests at heart. If you don’t feel like your lawyer is meeting your needs, don’t be afraid to take action.
