This is because sending a closing letter to clients helps you avoid situations where a client thinks that youâre still their attorney when youâve closed the case. Putting your end of representation for a specific matter in writing ensures theyâre aware of the situation.
Understand your purpose. Do not worry about formatting the letter in any special way or typing it unless your attorney requests that you do so. If your lawyer has asked that you write him a letter giving your consent to his requesting documents on your behalf, you should ask your lawyer to write the letter for you.
Use our sample letter to close account as a template for your account closing letter. I wish to close my bank account that I have with your institution. My bank account number is [036410-09]. I have had this account for close to ten years, but due to my relocation for my company, I am now forced to switch banks.
Be sure you get expert advice as to what you really want to do since this type of letter is considered to be a final contract regarding the attorney-client relationship. In the second paragraph, clearly state what you think what went wrong. This type of letter is intended to be frank, but not spiteful or mean.
Many attorneys have websites that include contact forms, phone numbers or even email addresses for contacting them and setting up appointments for consultations . Beyond that, once contact is made, the attorney may ask the client for more information or for documents related to the issue.
The documents may be important evidence in your case. If the attorney decides not not respond to your letter or misplaces it, your documents will be lost. Writer Bio. Rebecca K. McDowell is a creditors' rights attorney with a special focus on bankruptcy and insolvency.
Ending the Letter. At the end of the letter, the writer may include a closing, such as "Sincerely" or "Very truly yours" followed by a comma, then three or four spaces for a signature, followed by the typed or printed name of the sender. The client should include copies of any documents that may help the lawyer solve the problem.
Lawyers, also called attorneys , are individuals who have been educated and trained in the practice of one or more areas of law. There are dozens of areas of law and potentially hundreds of specialties within those areas, from personal injury to divorce to bankruptcy to intellectual property to criminal defense. A person or business that has a legal problem is certainly in need of legal counsel, but sometimes a lawyer's consult can help before a problem arises.
If you come across as an unpleasant person in the letter, the attorney may decide that you are not someone that she would like to assist. Warnings. If you are sending any documents along with the letter, make sure that you do not send the original versions of those documents.
Letâs start with the basics. The purpose of a closure letter is to confirm that the representation has ended, right? From this perspective, I can understand why some might view these letters as more of a good-bye, get-out-of-here statement and so donât wish to use them. I respectfully disagree with that view, however. I see these letters as powerful marketing tools. Regardless of whether the client is an in-and-out or a long-term one, the client has honored you by entrusting you with its current legal matter. Why not acknowledge that and say thanks?
Yes, itâs fine to have a few standard templates developed for various practice areas, but these things can and should be personalized â it only takes a few minutes to do so.
In the malpractice arena, attorneys often donât fare well in word-against-word disputes. This is why tax attorneys regularly write final instructions in some type of closure letter as to where to sign, where to send, what amount to pay, and by what date these steps must be taken.
To write a letter to your attorney, start by writing your address, and, if applicable, your email and cell number in the upper left corner of the page. Under this information, include the date and your attorneyâs name and address. Finally, include your case number or your full name.
Your attorney's name and address should be placed on the left regardless of whether you are using full block or modified block format. If there is a paralegal that is working on your specific case, you may wish to write to include it in parenthesis next to the attorney's name.
If you are concerned your lawyer is not working on your case, write him a polite but firm letter explaining your concerns. If you feel more comfortable emailing or calling him, that would be fine as well. You are under no obligation to express your concerns in a formal letter.
Formally address the letter the same as you would any other standard letter by including your name, address, and the date along with the attorneyâs name and address as well. Because this is a formal letter, be sure to include a proper salutation and address them directly by name.
If you feel you were improperly represented, itâs in your best interest to hire a new attorney. Many people often feel their hired attorney doesnât have their best interests at heart. In order to officially and properly fire your attorney, you must write a formal letter.
Because this is a formal letter, be sure to include a proper salutation and address them directly by name. Do not write âto whom it may concernâ. Also, there should be a clear subject line in order to state why the letter is being sent.
If you canât resolve the issue after talking with your attorney, but youâre not quite ready to throw in the towel and fire your attorney , consider reaching out to your local state bar association.
As the legal expert, your lawyer typically makes decisions related to strategy, tactics, and procedure. However, when it comes to decisions that materially affect your interests (such as whether to accept a settlement offer), the decision is ultimately yours and your lawyer should abide by your decision.
Even if you fire your attorney in a verbal exchange, you should follow up by sending a written termination letter. Be sure to send the letter by âcertified mail with return receipt requestedâ so thereâs proof your lawyer received the letter.
This doesnât mean your lawyer can guarantee that theyâll win your case, but it does mean your lawyer should have the competence to represent you effectively and professionally. Failure to follow client instructions.
Lack of communication. Your lawyer must be willing and able to communicate effectively with you. If you ask for an explanation, your lawyer should provide it within a reasonable time. If your lawyer is ignoring you, it may be time to hire a different lawyer. Unreasonable fees.
In some cases, thereâs nothing your lawyer can do to speed up the process. However, lack of diligence and unnecessary delays in your case may be cause for attorney termination. Lack of communication.
Be clear and firm. Be polite. You should include a sentence or 2 about why youâre firing your attorney, but thereâs no need to air out all of your complaints and grievances about the attorney, and thereâs certainly no need to be rude. Keep in mind that the legal community is small and lawyers talk to one another.
This is because sending a closing letter to clients helps you avoid situations where a client thinks that youâre still their attorney when youâve closed the case. Putting your end of representation for a specific matter in writing ensures theyâre aware of the situation.
It also helps protect you from claims that you didnât perform duties that you werenât responsible for. Taking the time to create a closing letter is also a subtle way to provide customers with a client-centered experience.
The key to closing letters is to start by writing a solid template, then customize it to include all pertinent details for each case and client relationship.
Written by Sharon Miki. Case closed? When a legal matter reaches its conclusion, you need to complete the loopâwhich means sending a closing letter to clients. Without a formal case closure letter, you risk ambiguity. When it comes to attorney-client relationships, ambiguity can leave your clients confused.
It doesnât mean that you canât represent the client in the future on other matters. Sending a closing letter to clients can also help you avoid unintentional miscommunication about representationâwhich is a common source of malpractice claims for lawyers.