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Check for these warning signs when evaluating your lawyer
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A lawyer is selling you out if they’re behaving in a way that’s beneficial for them but not for you. While this is very rare if you’re working with a reputable attorney, it can happen if they’re less than honest. You’ll normally know if a lawyer isn’t working hard for you if you feel like an afterthought, they don’t keep you in the loop, or they’re pushing you to settle. In this article, we’ll walk you through all of the warning signs—and what you should do to find a better lawyer to replace them.
Things You Should Know
- A lawyer may not be right for you if they miss key deadlines or seem generally uninterested in your case.
- If your lawyer surprises you with the bill or pushes you to settle, it’s a sign they don’t have your key interests at heart.
- Rely on recommendations and reviews to find a lawyer. Before you hire an attorney, meet with them to see if you two get along.
Steps
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Tips
- It’s completely normal for multiple people to be working on a single case. If your lawyer mentions someone else at their office digging into something, it’s not a red flag. [13] X Trustworthy Source American Bar Association Leading professional organization of lawyers and law students Go to sourceThanks
- A lawyer should never violate confidentiality. If you get word that your lawyer has shared personal information with someone else, cut ties and contact your state’s BAR association to file a complaint. This is a big deal and it shouldn’t go unreported. [14] X Trustworthy Source American Bar Association Leading professional organization of lawyers and law students Go to sourceThanks
- Just FYI, lawyers are legally restricted from “selling you out” in a way that means “intentionally lose your case.” They may not be doing their due diligence—there are certainly lazy and bad lawyers out there—but they aren’t engaging in some kind of clandestine effort to lose your case.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.utcourts.gov/en/legal-help/legal-help/procedures/filing.html
- ↑ https://www.isba.org/public/guide/hiringalawyer
- ↑ https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/the-public-defender.html
- ↑ https://www.isba.org/public/guide/hiringalawyer
- ↑ https://legalvoice.org/working-with-a-lawyer/
- ↑ https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Free-Legal-Information/Resolving-Problems/Problem-with-a-Lawyer
- ↑ https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_4_communications/
- ↑ https://www.isba.org/public/guide/hiringalawyer
- ↑ https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/i-m-losing-confidence-in-my-lawyer-what-should-i-d-5393293.html
- ↑ https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Free-Legal-Information/Before-Selecting-an-Attorney/Finding-the-Right-Lawyer
- ↑ https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/public-information/how-do-i-find-a-lawyer-/
- ↑ https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/public-information/how-do-i-know-if-a-lawyer-is-right-for-me-/
- ↑ https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/public-information/how-do-i-know-if-a-lawyer-is-right-for-me-/
- ↑ https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_6_confidentiality_of_information/comment_on_rule_1_6/
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