how do i find out who else my lawyer represents

Once you’ve found a licensed lawyer in good standing with the Bar, do a Google search for their name. Look for any information about cases they work and reviews from former or current clients. Find a web page for the law firm and read through client reviews.

Full Answer

How do I find out if a lawyer is licensed?

Every lawyer who is licensed to practice law in your home state must be listed in your state bar association's directory. Remember, just because someone uses "Esq." in his or her letterhead doesn't necessarily mean that person is licensed to practice.

How can I get a lawyer to refer me to someone?

You may want to seek out a lawyer referral service that participates in the American Bar Association-sponsored certification program, which uses a logo to identify lawyer referral programs that comply with certain quality standards developed by the ABA. My new job offers a prepaid legal services plan.

How to find a reliable lawyer?

There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

Why should I use a lawyer license lookup?

Using a lawyer license lookup is just one way to verify that you’re choosing the right lawyer for your situation. Whether it’s criminal defense or personal injury, sometimes the lawyer with the most prominent billboards or loudest television commercials aren’t quite what they claim to be.

Can two lawyers represent each other?

The California Rules generally permit a lawyer to represent multiple clients with conflicting interests so long as all the clients have provided their informed written consent.

Do opposing lawyers talk to each other?

(A) While representing a client, a member shall not communicate directly or indirectly about the subject of the representation with a party the member knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the member has the consent of the other lawyer.

How do I know if my lawyer is cheating on a settlement?

Dennis BeaverThe attorney does not return phone calls in a reasonable amount of time, and;In a meeting with the client, if the lawyer is being very short, taking phone calls, trying to re-schedule, not giving enough time to the client, does not listen, ignores what is asked or is not answering questions.

How do you know if your lawyer is shady?

There Are 12 Warning Signs That You Hired a Bad Lawyer and How to Avoid Them in the Future Lack of Enthusiasm. ... Ineffective communication. ... Attitude Disagreements. ... Inefficient. ... Imprecise Billing. ... Unethical Conduct. ... Failure to Establish a Track Record of Success. ... Pessimistic Attitude.More items...•

How often should I hear from my attorney?

There is no set formula for how often you will hear from your attorney. However, the key to a successful attorney client relationship is communication. Whenever there is an important occurrence in your case you will be contacted or notified.

How do I know if my lawyer is good?

So if you're curious, use these five quick ways to research whether your lawyer is legit:State Bar Profile. Every lawyer who is licensed to practice law in your home state must be listed in your state bar association's directory. ... Google / Search Engines. ... Yelp. ... The Attorney's Own Website. ... Third-Party Rating Groups.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

Do lawyers cheat their clients?

Yes, some lawyers lie, cheat and deceive their clients. But they are the exception, and an embarrassment to most lawyers.

Can I sue a lawyer for lying?

No matter what name the agency in your state goes by, they will have a process you can use to file a complaint against your attorney for lying or being incompetent. Examples of these types of behavior include: Misusing your money. Failing to show up at a court hearing.

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Perhaps the most common kinds of complaints against lawyers involve delay or neglect. This doesn't mean that occasionally you've had to wait for a phone call to be returned. It means there has been a pattern of the lawyer's failing to respond or to take action over a period of months.

Why do lawyers ignore you?

If your attorney is not experienced or efficient, they may have missed a deadline or made another mistake and aren't willing to confess their error. There could also be some bad news that is entirely outside of the attorney's control.

Is it normal not to hear from your attorney?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.

Why do lawyers talk to each other?

Attorneys can also directly communicate with each other on behalf of their clients. They can discuss potential settlement agreements, upcoming hearings, and other matters. This avoids the parties communicating directly if that is not a feasible option and it ensures that the legal matters are properly dealt with.

How Do You Talk to an opposite lawyer?

Here are eight approaches to better handle the difficult lawyer.Point out Common Ground. ... Don't be Afraid to Ask Why. ... Separate the Person from the Problem. ... Focus on your Interests. ... Don't Fall for your Assumptions. ... Take a Calculated Approach. ... Control the Conversation by Reframing. ... Pick up the Phone.

What do lawyers call each other?

Brother/Sister: When speaking to the court, attorneys often refer to opposing counsel as “My Brother” or “My Sister”. The attorneys are not related, they use this reference because they are looked upon as brethren in the law.

How do lawyers communicate?

Lawyers should communicate with clients clearly and often to ease their fears and keep them informed about their cases. It is important to avoid using legal jargon when a lawyer communicates with clients. Using plain language will allow a client to understand the provided information easily.

Who administers the disciplinary committee for lawyers in your state?

If it appears there was a conflict on interest and you want to continue, you need to find who administers the disciplinary committee for lawyers in your state. That will be either the state bar, a committee under the state government or a committee under the state supreme court. They have the power to discipline lawyers, ranging from from fines to disbarment. You can ask them about the process to file a complaint.

How to find out if you have a conflict of interest?

If you feel you are looking at a possible conflict of interest, and you want to continue, take a look at the bar association in your state. They will have public documents and statements on ethics and conflicts of interest that any lawyer admitted to the bar must follow. You may be able to ask them about what may constitute a conflict of interest, i.e. your case; or, they could refuse, saying you need to hire a lawyer for such advice.

Do you have to show harm to yourself to file a complaint?

For any formal complaint, you will need to show harm to yourself, as in it cost more money for the divorce to be finalized, or some other tangible issue.

2 attorney answers

This is a common occurrence. A party asks for more time to get a lawyer, and then at the next hearing date does not show up with a lawyer, or they again ask for more time. Judges know this, and were attorneys at one point.

Natalie Hedman

If the other side has filed anything in court, their attorney should be of record. If not, you should have requested the information from the Judge. In the end, however, it likely will not make much difference since your opponent is free to change lawyers anytime. Plus, of course, postponements do not change the facts in the end...

How to find out who is acting as an attorney?

Another way to find out is to look and see if the person or company is involved in any lawsuits. If it is, the lawyer’s name will be on the suits as attorney of record.

Do clerks watch cases?

Many of the staff watch cases for a living. They will know many of the best (and worst) litigators in the jurisdiction. If you need a transactional attorney, one of the clerks will have access to a database that has every certified lawyer in the state.

Can a lawyer represent you?

Broadly, yes. A lawyer may choose to represent someone, or not, for virtually any reason. There is a movement at the American Bar Association to put some limitations on the ability of a lawyer to turn down clients for improper reasons such as race, religion, sexual orientation, class and so on. (This is very controversial.) There are times when we are required to decline representation for ethical reasons. That is we have a conflict of interest or we are not competent in the area of practice, for example. Regardless, a lawyer is not required to provide representation, if they do not want to do so.

Can a lawyer hold a client's file hostage?

Holding a client’s file hostage is another matter. Your files and the work product that you have paid for belong to you, period. Some jurisdictions allow for what are called attorneys’ or retaining liens—an attorney refusing to turn over a file/work product because of unexcused nonpayment by the client—but generally speaking, these rights are very limited, and if you’ve paid your bills, your past lawyer has no right to refuse to transfer a copy of your file to you or to your new lawyer. The refusal to do so is not just bad business, but improper and unethical, as well, and these are rules that every attorney (at least in the US) would be well aware of. So I second Jennifer Ellis on this one: remind your lawyer of his responsibilities, and if that fails, have your new lawyer put in a request for the file in writing. But unless there are facts you’re leaving out—and I don’t suspect that there are—your past lawyer cannot refuse your request.

Do you have to represent someone if you don't want to?

However, you are frequently limited by your job. That is, if you work for someone else, your boss will likely tell you that you have to represent someone. They may not make you if you don’t want to, but they may make you. Also, a public defender’s office, assuming the person meets the requirements and there is no ethical issue, will be required to take on representation. This may not mean a specific lawyer, but the office in general will have no choice.

Should I work with a small firm?

If you are an individual, I highly reccomend you work with a small firm. In a large firm you will be pawned off to a first year associate. In a small firm, the principals do the work.

Do lawyers respond to clients?

I wish this question were specific. Lawyers don't respond to a lot of people - clients, prospective clients, clients' nosey family members, witnesses, other lawyers, court staff, salespeople.

How hard is it to find a law firm?

Finding the right firm is hard to do, as law firms don't do much to help law students. In fact, a lot of firms take great pains to try to make themselves appear more or less the same as everyone else, as though choosing a legal career is like choosing your car insurance. In truth, there are huge differences at the partnership level, but even for associates, experiences can vary wildly. People focus a lot on prestige, when within the same class of law firm, there's really no difference. For example, I summered at Cravath and worked at Quinn Emanuel until I was a mid-level. While I am very grate

What happens if the opposing side is represented?

Further, if the opposing side is represented, you will be communicating only with their lawyers. They presumably realize the value of employing experienced and trained legal representatives, even if you do not.

Why do companies use law firms?

Most companies use a variety of law firms to provide them with different legal services - especially as companies get larger and their legal issues become more diverse.

What is in-house counsel?

Typically, in-house counsel have previous experience practicing law at a law firm, and it is quite common for a company to hire its outside lawyers as in-house counsel.

How to find a registered agent for a business?

Go to the Secretary of State website for the state where the business is located. There should be a “search for a business” feature. Enter the business name and you should see various information about the company, including the Registered Agent. This is where you send process of service or other legal papers.

Is there too many legal issues?

There are entirely too many legal issues in the world, all requiring knowledge of different statutes, case law and pragmatic concerns. You might have a general practice firm, but such firms tend to focus on consumer based areas of practice, by that I mean personal injury, criminal defense, family law and so on.

Is it a violation of the canons of ethics for a lawyer to speak with a represented person?

It is a clear violation of the canons of ethics for a lawyer to speak with a represented person separately from their lawyer. If a represented person tries to go around that, the ethical lawyer will either ignore the attempt, or contact the opposing counsel to ask that person to handle it.

What is the first qualification for a lawyer?

The lawyer will be helping you solve your problems, so the first qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her, honestly and completely, all the facts necessary to resolve your problem. No one you listen to and nothing you read will be able to guarantee that a particular lawyer will be the best for you; you must judge that for yourself.

What does legal insurance cover?

These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.

Do legal aid offices have their own lawyers?

Some legal aid offices have their own staff lawyers, and others operate with volunteer lawyers. Note that people do not have a right to a free lawyer in civil legal matters. I have been accused of a crime, and I cannot afford a lawyer.

Do lawyers use ads?

In some ways, yes, ads are useful. However, always be careful about believing everything you read and hear — and nowhere is this truer than with advertisements. Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs. Some ads also will help you determine a lawyer’s area of expertise. Other ads will quote a fee or price range for handling a specific type of “simple” case. Keep in mind that your case may not have a simple solution. If a lawyer quotes a fee, be certain you know exactly what services and expenses the charge does and does not include.

What is a lawyer license lookup?

Using a lawyer license lookup is just one way to verify that you’re choosing the right lawyer for your situation. Whether it’s criminal defense or personal injury, sometimes the lawyer with the most prominent billboards or loudest television commercials aren’t quite what they claim to be.

How to check if a lawyer has a license in Texas?

In Texas, it’s simple to verify if a lawyer has a valid, current license with the Texas State Bar Association. Use this website to type in the name and the law firm of a lawyer.

How to file a grievance against a lawyer?

When a lawyer receives a grievance for misconduct filed through the Bar: 1 The State Bar investigates the grievance. 2 If there’s no merit to the grievance, the Bar takes no further action against the lawyer. They dismiss the grievance. 3 If the Bar finds merit to the grievance, the lawyer can face disciplinary action.

What happens if a lawyer receives a grievance?

They dismiss the grievance. If the Bar finds merit to the grievance, the lawyer can face disciplinary action.

What happens if the bar finds merit to a grievance?

If the Bar finds merit to the grievance, the lawyer can face disciplinary action.

How to get clients to refer you?

Take other client experiences and input with a grain of salt. Use personal references in addition to the information you’ve vetted through other sources.

Is a lawyer a good lawyer in Texas?

That “good standing” part is critical for the next step. 2. Check for Grievances. A licensed lawyer isn’t necessarily a good lawyer. Now that you’ve confirmed the lawyer has a license keep researching to find out if they have any grievances.

How to find a lawyer in California?

Each licensed attorney should appear on your home state's bar association website ( here's California's ), and you can find them using a state bar number or first and last name. The profile will include basic contact information, whether the attorney can actively practice law, and any ethical trouble he or she may have gotten into.

Can a lawyer seem all that?

Lawyers can seem "all that" during a consultation, but potential clients may want to do a little extra research before pulling the trigger on hiring them.

Is FindLaw.com owned by Super Lawyers?

Disclosure: FindLaw.com and Super Lawyers are owned by the same company.