What if I’m Dissatisfied with My Lawyer?
When you hire a lawyer and they agree to take up your case, a two-way relationship in which you have a common goal is forged. A client-lawyer relationship aims to conclude a legal matter satisfactorily. With that in mind, you should start by contacting lawyers in Anchorage AK if you’re facing a legal challenge in Alaska,
Most lawyers offer free initial consultations to help prospective clients evaluate the possibilities of hiring prospective lawyers. Once you contact lawyers in Anchorage AK, they will review your case and recommend an appropriate legal solution. But what happens if you’re dissatisfied with your attorney?
What to Do When Dissatisfied
A client-lawyer relationship is not permanent, meaning it can be severed if any party is not comfortable. However, it’s wise to find out the cause of conflicts before terminating the working relationship. After assessing the situation and you still believe that you have a genuine complaint, you can resolve the issues stated below in the following ways:
You lost a case but you still paid your lawyer. What should you do?
Discuss this issue with your lawyer. If your lawyer was working on a contingent basis, then they shouldn’t demand payment. On the other hand, if you were required to pay an upfront fee before legal representation, then you should just let go.
Do I have any alternatives if my lawyer won’t discuss my grievances?
Yes, you have an alternative to discuss your complaints with another lawyer. In this case, you consult any other lawyer as long as they’re willing to listen. However, you’ll be expected to pay for the amount of work already done. You should ask for the documents that are still in the custody of the fired lawyer. If the first lawyer fails to produce the documents related to your case, you can sue them.
What if my lawyer acts unethically?
The conduct of lawyers is regulated by the professional conduct of the state they’re licensed to practice. In other words, the lawyers should act in a certain way. Failure to which, they face disciplinary action. The code of conduct describes how lawyers should improve the legal profession and uphold the rule of law besides regulating their professional conduct. Some of the ethical duties of lawyers include:
Competence
Every lawyer is expected to provide quality work, meaning lawyers should have the ability to analyze, research, and continue studying to ensure they’re not caught up with changing legal trends.
Diligence
Lawyers should handle their client’s legal problems promptly. Delays can make you lose a case and damage the reputation of the lawyer.
Communication
Lawyers should always communicate with their clients to update them on progress. For instance, when a client asks for an explanation about a certain issue, the lawyer should respond promptly.
Confidentiality
Lawyers should be secretive and they shouldn’t share what their clients reveal to them about a legal situation with third parties. Confidentiality allows the clients to discuss their cases openly and honestly. This is known as attorney-client privilege.
Both the lawyer and the client can terminate their working relationship if there are dissatisfied. However, it’s important to seek legal advice when terminating such relationships.
