when a lawyer doesn't call you back

Usually, when your lawyer does not return your phone calls it is because she is too busy or unable to properly handle your case. If you have directed the lawyer's staff to have the lawyer call you within 2 business days and the lawyer does not call, it is time to find another counsel.

Full Answer

Why won’t my lawyer Call Me Back?

If a lawyer will not return your phone call, then that may indicate that he is neglecting the legal matter that you have entrusted to him. If so, then you may want to retain another attorney. Any new attorney may wish to see the file. You can call on the phone and request your file, saying that you will come by to pick it up.

What should I do if an attorney calls after hours?

Apr 11, 2022 · If you have an attorney that won’t call you back and not responding, call the office. Make an appointment. Go in and meet with them and if that doesn’t solve your problem, then get a different attorney on board and fire the first one. I’m Attorney Ben Schwartz. I hope that you found this video informative and helpful.

Why is my attorney not in the office?

Aug 06, 2018 · This doesn’t mean immediately, but by the end of the business day barring any delays that may be unavoidable (the lawyer may run late in trial, they may be out of town, or simply out of the office attending to another client that day). An experienced attorney will always return any missed calls as soon as they’re back in the office.

Do you have to call your clients back?

Jun 29, 2020 · Call your attorney’s office. If your attorney is not returning your calls or voicemails, ask to speak with someone else at the firm. This may be the receptionist, paralegal or even another attorney in the office. You can let this person know that you cannot get in touch with your lawyer and leave a message with them as well.

How many times a day should an attorney speak to you?

It is critically important that you keep informed about the status of your case. It is not reasonable (or cost-effective, for that matter), to demand that your attorney speak with you 3-4 times per day. Keep in mind that unless you are paying your attorney $10,000.00 per hour, your lawyer has to take in other clients all of whom will need to meet with your attorney, talk to him/her on the phone, correspond via email, and go to court.

Why do lawyers hire assistants?

That’s why your lawyer hired that person – to help you out when the attorney is tied up in court, depositions, mediations, or meetings. Most of the time, the legal assistant can answer basic questions regarding scheduling, copies of documents, due dates, etc. The assistant is also in the best position to make a note of your call and concern, relay it to your attorney, and provide you with direct and timely feedback. Additionally, the legal assistant is almost always in the office, whereas your attorney often is not.

What does a legal assistant do?

The assistant is also in the best position to make a note of your call and concern, relay it to your attorney, and provide you with direct and timely feedback.

What does "emergency" mean in family law?

In family law matters, “emergency” means you or your children are in imminent danger. Questions regarding what to wear when you exchange visitation of your child or to complain that your spouse kept one of your child’s sneakers are not emergencies. God gave you good sense; use it.

You Need to Write Letters

You Need to Write Letters#N#I appreciate that phone calls are easier and that you shouldn't have to write a letter to your own attorney. But when the attorney does not return phone calls and you do not know why you can't reach him on the phone, send him a letter.

Ask the Phone Receptionist What is Going On

Ask the Phone Receptionist What is Going On#N#If you get a live person on the phone when you call the lawyer's office, ask that person why you cannot seem to talk to your lawyer. Maybe he is in the hospital or there is some other reason, and the receptionist may be able to tell you.

Request Your File - It Is Your Property

Request Your File - It Is Your Property#N#The file that the attorney has created and maintained on your case is actually your property. The attorney can keep a copy at his expense, but the original file and papers in it are property of the client.

If Nothing Else Works, Threaten to File a State Bar Grievance

If Nothing Else Works, Threaten to File a State Bar Grievance#N#A lawyer has a duty to communicate with his or her client. The failure to do so is professional misconduct. One of the functions of the State Bar is to investigate and punish professional misconduct by attorneys, based on Grievances filed by clients.

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Personal Injury Attorney Ben Schwartz answers a viewer's question, " What is a disc herniation?" https://youtu.be/flWzyNxUwaw Hi, I'm Ben Schwartz, I'm an attorney and we're going to answer a question today from Jake in Columbia, Maryland. Jake wrote in he said, “I was rear-ended in...

Negligent Security Case

Personal Injury Attorney Ben Schwartz gives an overview of a negligent security case. https://youtu.be/SVEfZ4Z8q1k Hi, I’m Attorney Ben Schwartz, Today I am going to give you a quick overview of a negligent security case. In my law firm, Schwartz and Schwartz our attorneys handle negligent...

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What happens if your lawyer doesn't handle your case?

If your lawyer fails to handle your case competently, including intentionally ignoring you or by being too busy to work on your case, you may be able to take action through a legal malpractice suit. Poor communication alone is not grounds for a legal malpractice suit, but if your attorney stops working on your case altogether it could escalate to a malpractice suit.

How to end a relationship with a lawyer?

To end the relationship, send a written letter, preferably certified with a return receipt requested. The letter should explain your concerns with the lawyer’s inattentive behavior and request a complete copy of your file.

What to do before terminating a relationship with an attorney?

Before terminating your relationship with your attorney, read your retainer agreement. The retainer agreement serves as a contract for services between you and your lawyer. It should clearly define the terms of your relationship and what happens if you chose to end it.

Why is communication important in a lawyer?

Lack of communication is one of the leading reasons clients choose to seek a new lawyer. While lawyers are often busy attending court, meeting with other clients or preparing a case, persistently failing to return calls or emails can damage the relationship and case beyond repair.

What to do if your lawyer doesn't work?

If that doesn't work, as a last resort you may need to sue your lawyer in small claims court, asking the court for money to compensate you for what you've spent on redoing work in the file or trying to get the file.

What to do if you are not satisfied with your lawyer?

If you're not satisfied with your lawyer's strategy decisions or with the arguments the lawyer has been making on your behalf, you may even want to go to the law library and do some reading to educate yourself about your legal problem.

What is the agency responsible for licensing and disciplining lawyers?

Every state has an agency responsible for licensing and disciplining lawyers. In most states, it's the bar association; in others, the state supreme court. The agency is most likely to take action if your lawyer has failed to pay you money that you won in a settlement or lawsuit, made some egregious error such as failing to show up in court, didn't do legal work you paid for, committed a crime, or has a drug or alcohol abuse problem.

What to do if you can't find out what has been done?

If you can't find out what has (and has not) been done, you need to get hold of your file. You can read it in your lawyer's office or ask your lawyer to send you copies of everything -- all correspondence and everything filed with the court or recorded with a government agency.

What to do if you lost money because of a lawyer?

If you lost money because of the way your lawyer handled your case, consider suing for malpractice. Know, however, that it is not an easy task. You must prove two things:

Can you sue for legal malpractice?

If you want to sue for legal malpractice, do it as quickly as possible. A common defense raised by attorneys sued for malpractice is that the client waited too long to sue. And because this area of the law can be surprisingly complicated and confusing, there's often plenty of room for argument.

Does the state bar reimburse clients?

But all states except Maine, New Mexico, and Tennessee do have funds from which they may reimburse clients whose attorneys stole from them.