how to get a response from nonresponsive client lawyer

by Clinton Stehr 6 min read

If you think your attorney is ignoring you, send a certified letter to his office questioning the silence and that you are prepared to find a new lawyer if necessary. This will jolt him into action. He will respond either by saying the two of you aren’t a good fit, or he will start being much more communicative.

Full Answer

How to deal with an unresponsive client?

Oct 05, 2018 · The second way to follow up should also offer help, but also let them know you're waiting on them to move forward. Your time and schedule is precious, and this email lets them know you take your work seriously. An email like, Hi [unresponsive client],Hope you're doing well!I'd love to help you [insert whatever it is that you do here]!

What should I do if my lawyer does not respond?

Sep 26, 2009 · The case does need an attorney's attention and we are baffled at the lack of response. We have explained to the receptionist that we are willing to pay retainer, whatever but still nothing from the attorney. ... there may simply be a misunderstanding about your relationship with the attorney. Normally, an attorney-client relationship is not ...

Do lawyers have to respond to clients 24/7?

Mar 15, 2017 · Attorneys are required to be diligent and part of that is effective communication with their clients. I would suggest consulting with another attorney. You could hire another attorney, have the first withdraw his appearance and have the second enter his/hers on …

Why won’t my clients respond to me?

Sep 30, 2016 · Agreed upon plan in place for what happens if the client is unresponsive. These items are best to define at the beginning of your agreement, so that they are in place before any issues arise. 5. Always Send a Recap After Meetings. Often times during client meetings, multiple topics and questions are discussed.

Martin J. King

very sorry to hread of your situation. Probably the most important factor in the attorney/client relationship is confidence, which you now lack for good reason. You must get another attorney is whom you have confidence of zealous representation.

Charles Edward Dutko Jr

Attorneys are required to be diligent and part of that is effective communication with their clients. I would suggest consulting with another attorney. You could hire another attorney, have the first withdraw his appearance and have the second enter his/hers on your behalf.

Jason R. Young

You are the client and have the right to expect a responsive, communicative lawyer. Demand your money back and hire someone else. Good luck

What to say when you don't get X?

Don’t be afraid to put things in concrete terms: “If we don’t get X, we can’t make Y happen." This will light a fire in many clients right away because they don’t want to risk failure of their project. If you’re not clear about what you need from your client, you’ll end up taking the blame for missed deadlines yourself.

How long does it take to recover from reading an email?

Experts say you need an entire minute to recover from reading a single email. And at bare minimum, you’d need three hours a day dedicated only to reading and sending emails if you were to stay completely caught up on your inbox. Your client might not have the bandwidth to sift through their inbox every day.

Is burnout bad for business?

It’s important to remember that many companies are understaffed and stretched thin. And even though studies show that burnout is bad for business, we see it happen all the time. While it may be frustrating when you can’t get an answer from your client, it’s usually not the result of ill will or without reason.

How to start a client relationship?

From the very start you should have a clear action plan and defined structure with your client. This should be something that you both agree on and at the very least should include: 1 Regular time slots with your client for calls or meetings 2 Agreed upon timelines for decisions 3 Clear definition of what type of communication your client prefers 4 Consequences of missed deadlines 5 Agreed upon plan in place for what happens if the client is unresponsive

What to do if you don't respond to emails?

If they are not responding to emails, take a break and then pick up the phone and give them a call or invite them to meet for coffee or lunch.

Reasons Your Lawyer is Unresponsive

There are many reasons why a lawyer wouldn’t respond to client inquiries or demands. Below are the top 9 most common causes of inefficiency and indifference:

Is a Communication Breakdown a Breach of Contract?

Yes, a communication breakdown is a breach of contract if your lawyer did not live up to your expectations.

How to Deal With Your Lawyer Who is Not Communicating

So, what should you do when your lawyer is not communicating with you? Here are a few tips.

Communication is the Key

Communication is the key to finding a great lawyer who will be able to help you get through the legal process necessary to resolve your case. This means finding one who is easy to contact and prompt in their responses. It also means finding a lawyer who takes the time to explain things in an understandable way.

How to follow up with unresponsive clients

You’ve probably been on the receiving end of a business following up with you and didn’t notice it was an established sequence they were following as part of their operating procedures. A typical follow-up sequence for most businesses is 5-6 emails before moving on if you are unresponsive.

Step 1. Send proposal

I’ve attached a proposal for you to review. Please look it over and let me know your thoughts.

Step 2. First follow-up

If I haven’t heard back, three business days after I’ve sent the proposal I send follow up email #1:

Step 3. The reminder

If I hear nothing, I’ll follow up three or four days later with follow up email #2:

Step 4. Final attempt

I wait a full week and then I send follow up email #3 in the same email thread:

Step 5. Close the loop

If I don’t hear back after another week, I close the loop and get it out of my mind by sending follow up email #4 letting them know I’ve moved on and will no longer be emailing them about this project:

Remember

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What are the rules of professional conduct?

According to The American Bar Association (ABA) model rules of professional conduct related to communication, lawyers must: · Inform clients of decisions and circumstance related to their case. · Consult with clients about how they will accomplish their legal goals. · Respond to client requests for information.

What is malpractice attorney?

A knowledgeable legal malpractice attorney can review the circumstances of a case and attempt to communicate with your unresponsive lawyer. The malpractice attorney can then guide you through the legal process and work to get your compensation.