AVVO.com’s “Ask a Lawyer” service. Post a question and get free advice from multiple lawyers. Questions are often answered within 12 hours. FreeAdvice.com’s “Ask a Lawyer” service. Another free service which allows users to publicly pose questions for attorneys to answer.
Here's how to find legal help if you can't afford a lawyer: Contact the city courthouse. Seek free lawyer consultations. Look to legal aid societies.
Most communities have referral services to help people find lawyers. You might be able to find them under “Lawyer Referral Service” or something similar in your yellow pages. These services usually recommend a lawyer in the area to evaluate a situation.
Some state disciplinary boards have websites where you can search for a lawyer by name and see if the lawyer has a history of discipline. If you think your lawyer has violated an ethical rule, you may file a complaint with the disciplinary board in the state where the lawyer is licensed.
ABA Free Legal Answers is a website on which you can submit your questions about civil (non-criminal) legal issues and receive answers from pro bono lawyers in your state. It's EASY. Legal questions are submitted online – all you need is an internet connection. It's CONVENIENT.
A complaint form may be obtained here or by contacting the Board by telephone at 515-348-4680. In addition to a clear, written statement describing the alleged unethical conduct, copies of important documents should be attached. More information about the complaint process is available here.
In the United States, the terms lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably. For this reason, people in and out of the legal field often ask, “is an attorney and a lawyer the same thing?”. In colloquial speech, the specific requirements necessary to be considered a lawyer vs attorney aren't always considered.
Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•
A claim of malpractice may exist if your lawyer exhibited negligence in your representation. If your lawyer's negligence caused you to suffer harm or a less advantageous outcome or settlement in your case, you may have a claim to sue your lawyer for professional negligence.
The Attorney General is the representative of the public in all legal proceedings for the enforcement of law and the assertion or protection of public rights. The Attorney General defends the constitutionality of Bills referred to the Supreme Court under Article 26 of the Constitution.
Attorney is American English word for a British English lawyer. The D.A. or District Attorney is a lawyer in the U.S. who works for the state and prosecutes people on behalf of it. There are also, of course, defense attorneys in America who act on behalf of their clients.
An advocate is a specialist attorney who represents clients in a court of law. Unlike an attorney an advocate does not deal directly with the client – the attorney will refer the client to an advocate when the situation requires it. Advocates can also appear in the higher courts on behalf of a client.
Primary tabs. In the United States, esquire (often shortened to Esq.) is a title of courtesy, given to a lawyer and commonly appended to his/her surname (e.g., John Smith, Esq. or John Smith, Esquire) when addressing the lawyer in written form.
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.
Even if your lawyer is working on another case, they should still get back to you within a day or two at the most. Your lawyer owes you responsive communication, even if you're not their only client. There's no excuse for an attorney who takes weeks to return calls or emails.
An attorney must always do what they say they will in a prompt and timely manner as unreasonable delay may adversely affect the outcome of your case.
Lawyer star ratings and reviews show previous customer experiences with each attorney and allow you to properly evaluate their strengths and weaknesses
Within a few hours after you submit your case, you may receive responses from local attorneys by phone or email. We recommend waiting a day or two to allow the majority of attorneys to review your case thoroughly. Then, it's up to you to select the right lawyer near you based on the responses you receive and the legal qualifications you're looking for.
Within 24 hours , your case is reviewed, evaluated, and when a lawyer is interested in taking your case, you'll receive a full attorney profile and their background information.
All member lawyers are pre-screened and in good standing with their state's bar associations
There is never any obligation to hire or contact a lawyer through our service - you decide if and when you contact an attorney
Your privacy is always protected - you decide when to disclose your personal information to interested attorneys. All member lawyers are pre-screened and in good standing with their state's bar associations. Review attorney's profiles and responses to your case before making a decision.
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.
Several legal assistance programs offer inexpensive or free legal services to those in need. Look in the yellow pages under topics such as “legal clinics,” “legal aid,” or “legal advice,” or search online. Most legal aid programs have special guidelines for eligibility, often based on where you live, the size of your family, and your income. 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.
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.
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.
In most states, you can file your complaint by mailing in a state-issued complaint form or a letter with the lawyer's name and contact information, your contact information, a description of the problem, and copies of relevant documents. In some states, you may be able to lodge your complaint over the phone or online.
When a client fires a lawyer and asks for the file, the lawyer must promptly return it. In some states, such as California, the lawyer must return the file even if attorneys’ fees haven’t been paid in full. Lawyer incompetence. Lawyers must have the knowledge and experience to competently handle any case that they take on.
Lawyers are given a lot of responsibility and often deal with serious matters, from criminal charges to child custody to tax and other financial matters. When you hire a lawyer, you are trusting him or her to represent your interests in the best manner possible. To protect the public—and the integrity of the legal profession—each state has its own code of ethics that lawyers must follow. These are usually called the “rules of professional conduct.”
Conflicts of interest. Lawyers owe a duty of loyalty to their clients, which means they must act with the client’s best interests in mind. This includes avoiding situations that would create a conflict of interest—such as representing two clients on opposite sides of the same case or taking on a new client who wants to sue an existing client.
Lawyer incompetence. Lawyers must have the knowledge and experience to competently handle any case that they take on. They must also be sufficiently prepared to handle matters that come up in your case, from settlement negotiations to trial. Conflicts of interest.
The American Bar Association publishes the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which lists standard ethical violations and best practices for lawyers. Some states have adopted the model rules as their own ethical rules, while others use it as a guide and modify or add rules.
In most cases, a board of lawyers and non-lawyers will review the complaint. If there’s a potential ethical violation, the board will give the lawyer a copy of the complaint and an opportunity to respond.
As my colleagues note, you have not provided sufficient facts. Did your lawyer tell you something you did not want to hear? Did you sign a contract that included a non-refundable retainer, as often happens in criminal defense cases? And you have provided no information that would indicate your lawyer committed legal malpractice.
You dont adequately describe your claim. You say incompetent but dont say what it was that the attorney was supposed to do that he did not do. Did you lose your rights because of it? If the negligent handling of a matter caused you loss, it would be malpractice.
You need to do an internet search for an attorney that does professional malpractice work. Many personal injury lawyers will also do so this type of work. Search for "professional malpractice attorney in florida" or "legal malpractice attorney" I have to caution you the bar is high to win this type of claim.
Just contact attorneys in your area, looking for legal malpractice. Find out how much this lawsuit will cost you.
Still, whether it's a divorce or you're being taken to court for something else, if you don't have a lawyer, a logical move would be to call the courthouse and ask who they would suggest going to. You think you're the first person who couldn't afford a lawyer? Hardly.
Some attorneys will offer free consultations – usually by phone or videoconference. You aren't likely to come away feeling like you're ready to try your first case, but even if it's just a 15-minute call, you may at least get enough information to have a better sense of what legal morass you're in for. You might also be able to get some direction as to who can help you for free or a bargain basement price.
Many law schools have pro bono programs in which law students can offer free legal advice. Some of the schools that have such programs include American University, Appalachian School of Law, Arizona State University, Howard University, Tulane University and many others.
You can find more ideas at LawHelp.org, a nonprofit aimed at connecting people with low and moderate incomes to free legal aid programs in their communities.
In a criminal proceeding, if you can't afford legal assistance, a court will appoint an attorney for you. In a civil case, generally described as a dispute between two private parties, to get legal representation, you have to get creative.
And even if you have a low income, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll receive legal aid. According to a 2017 report by the Legal Services Corporation, a nonprofit established by Congress to ensure equal access to justice for all Americans, 86% of the civil legal problems reported by low-income Americans received inadequate or no legal help in the previous year.
It's risky for lawyers to take cases on contingency, and they need to be confident a judge or jury will side with you, and that there's going to be something sizable awarded to you. While no legal expert will suggest you represent yourself, it is an option if you're in a financial bind.
If your attorney is coming off like a used car salesman, be wary. You want an attorney who will fight for the best possible outcome, but the best of attorneys know they can never promise a positive outcome. You deserve an attorney who is honest with you, even if the truth hurts.
Your lawyer’s actions can have a substantial negative impact on your case, especially if they cross the line into unethical or illegal behavior. You may want to win your case, but if your attorney is breaking the law or lying to help you do so, then you are both at risk of serious consequences.
Your lawyer’s actions can have a substantial negative impact on your case, especially if they cross the line into unethical or illegal behavior. You may want to win your case, but if your attorney is breaking the law or lying to help you do so, then you are both at risk of serious consequences. Unprofessional or unethical behavior can include: 1 Arriving late or failing to show up for important meetings, or missing court dates 2 Making decisions of importance about your case without discussing it with you first 3 Missing filing deadlines, filing paperwork incorrectly or filing the wrong paperwork with the court 4 Refusing to return your calls or messages within a reasonable timeframe 5 Knowing there is a conflict of interest in your case, but proceeding despite the ethical problem
If an attorney does not have empathy or compassion for your situation, they are not who you want to negotiate with an insurance company or have present your case to a jury. If they cannot spare compassion for you, how can you trust that they can adequately convince a judge, jury, or another party to feel what they do not?
If you are battling for the custody of your children’s custody or struggling because you are not receiving child support, you need an attorney who will keep you apprised of every step of the process. If you continuously struggle to contact your lawyer, and they often do not return phone calls and messages , it is a bad sign.
In the legal arena, attorneys start at the bottom and work their way up. If there is a lack of professional respect for your attorney, whether it is former clients, in the courtroom, or with their peers, it should be a red flag.
Most of the time, finding a lawyer means there is a significant stressor in your life. Making important decisions like which attorney to use, while already under stress, can seem impossible. Hopefully, this guide will make the process somewhat less daunting. You might worry that changing lawyers during a case could hurt your claim overall, but it will not do as much damage as sticking with a lawyer you do not trust.