how long should it take for my attorney to call me back

Jennifer L. Ellis

I agree with Anthony. It depends what you are asking for on the phone. It sounds like you are shopping around and have no prior relationship with any of the attorneys you are contacting...in that respect, the attorneys have ZERO obligation to call you back.

Matthew Scott Berkus

Are you calling and asking for an appointment? If that is the case, it really should be NLT the business day following the day you call. If you are asking for a lawyer who has no previous relationship with you to simply call back and chat, there's really no standard for that.

Anthony Bettencourt Cameron

If you want a particular lawyer, it is worth a second phone call. Perhaps your description of your case is not sufficiently attractive. For example, in Michigan, due to the problems associated with falling on ice cases, if a client calls lawyers they may have trouble getting a return call.

What to do if your lawyer refuses to answer your phone?

Use your good sense (referenced above) however. If your lawyer absolutely refuses to return your calls, get another lawyer. Your family law matter is too important and lawyers are too expensive for you to be out of the loop.

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.

What to do if you want to complain about your ex wife?

If you want to complain about your soon-to-be-ex-spouse, call your mother; I can almost guarantee you that she will take your side. 4. Do not abuse the word “emergency.”. In family law matters, “emergency” means you or your children are in imminent danger.

What to do if you get behind on a bill?

If you get behind, work out a payment plan with your lawyer, or see if you can arrange for a flat fee or other billing structure .

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 do lawyers respond to?

Lawyers are trained in logic. They respond to objective, well-reasoned, unemotional statements. If you begin with, “It sounds like you’ve been busy,” or “Is there anything I can do to expedite collection of the fee?” you’ll be encouraging a dialogue, not two monologues.

Why are my attorney's messages so annoying?

“Urgent” messages are likely to result in an annoyed response, since they’re often returned when the attorney is preoccupied with another matter . Remember, you’re just trying to get your attorney’s attention, not to alienate her.

How to tell if an office is busy?

Some pretty reliable indications of a busy office are things like assistants frantically running around, others working at computers, phones constantly ringing, filing cabinets with trays full of case files nearby waiting to be filed, and at least a few clients waiting out in the reception room.

Can an army of marching attorneys help some clients?

We know that every case is not a winner. An army of marching attorneys can’t help some clients. The key is to be able to focus on the relevant law and facts immediately, so you don’t waste the client’s money and your time. If the attorney isn’t prosecuting your case, this probably wasn’t done. You can help.

Can contingency fees be recovered?

In contingency fee cases, the fee may still be due upon recovery by the new attorney unless you can show good cause for the dismissal . Good cause usually involves a serious mishandling of the case or the client, including:

Can you dismiss an attorney?

While you can dismiss an attorney whenever you choose, this is obviously the last resort. Time and money can be lost in the transfer, and many lawyers refuse to accept cases that have been handled by others.

Is a lawyer competent?

Even the best lawyers are usually truly competent and proficient in only a few areas of the law.

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Where is the Salisbury law office?

Are you looking for a Salisbury, Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer? Our Salisbury law office is located next to the Shore Bank in Downtown Salisbury, Maryland. Our building address is 100 East Main Street Salisbury, Maryland 21801 and our office is located in Suite 500-A.