how to deal with an unresponsive attorney

by Jean Bergnaum 9 min read

What should I do if my lawyer does not respond?

If the lawyer is unresponsive and the matter involves a lawsuit, go to the courthouse and look at your case file, which contains all the papers that have actually been filed with the court. If you've hired a new lawyer, ask her for help in getting your file. …

Can I Fire my Lawyer for no reason?

Mar 15, 2017 · I would suggest consulting with another attorney. You could hire another attorney, have the first withdraw his appearance and have the second enter his/hers on your behalf. Upon withdraw the first attorney would be required to return any remaining retainer.

How do I know if my lawyer is doing a good job?

Jul 10, 2021 · Reasons Your Lawyer is Unresponsive. There are many reasons why a lawyer wouldn’t respond to client inquiries or demands. Below are the top 9 most common causes of inefficiency and indifference: 1. They Are Too Busy. Lawyers work in a highly demanding field and are often flooded with requests from clients, colleagues, employees, opposing ...

What happens if I can't work with my lawyer anymore?

Oct 16, 2013 · Here are some practical tips for dealing with a difficult lawyer: 1) Be Prepared – As the boy scouts say, “Always be prepared.” More often than not, the difficult lawyer is trying to... 2) Stay Cool – Remember, the difficult lawyer is trying …

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What do you do when a lawyer doesn't respond?

If your lawyer still does not respond, you can send him or her a letter explaining the communication problems. If at this point you do not hear anything from your lawyer, you should consult with a legal malpractice attorney.Sep 27, 2018

How long should a lawyer take to respond?

A: The lawyer should be responsive to your questions within 24-48 hours after you left a message. If the lawyer is not responsive, perhaps he or she is on vacation and unable to return.Dec 28, 2019

What to do when your lawyer stops communicating with you?

If you have called your attorney, left messages, sent emails, and you still haven't heard a response, the best course of action is to send a certified letter to his or her office questioning the failure to communicate and informing them that you are prepared to find a new lawyer if the situation does not improve.Mar 29, 2021

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.Oct 25, 2018

What should you not say to a lawyer?

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.Jan 15, 2010

Why is my attorney not fighting for me?

For example, in a custody, divorce, criminal, or civil case, your lawyer might not be fighting properly. It might be a sign of incompetence or even a conflict of interest in your client attorney relationship. If you believe that my lawyer is not fighting for me, it may be due to the lawyer's style and mannerisms.Jul 24, 2020

What is it called when a lawyer doesn't do his job?

Legal malpractice is a type of negligence in which a lawyer does harm to his or her client. Typically, this concerns lawyers acting in their own interests, lawyers breaching their contract with the client, and, one of the most common cases of legal malpractice, is when lawyers fail to act on time for clients.

How often should I hear from my attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

What is a Marsden hearing?

A Marsden hearing is when the judge rules on the Marsden motion. If he grants the motion, the public defender is removed from the case and the judge will appoint an alternate public defender. If the judge denies the motion, then the public defender remains as the defendant's lawyer.

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

Why do attorneys take so long to respond?

Your attorney may not be able to respond to you right away because they're dealing with another client's negotiations or trial. ... 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.Jul 29, 2020

Is no news good news from your lawyer?

The bottom line is that this is generally one of those cases where “no news is good news” because it means your attorney is working on your case. The only time you should get concerned is if you need to speak to your attorney and you cannot get through nor have you received a return call.Aug 4, 2016

Martin J. King

very sorry to hread of your situation. Probably the most important factor in the attorney/client relationship is confidence, which you now lack for good reason. You must get another attorney is whom you have confidence of zealous representation.

Charles Edward Dutko Jr

Attorneys are required to be diligent and part of that is effective communication with their clients. I would suggest consulting with another attorney. You could hire another attorney, have the first withdraw his appearance and have the second enter his/hers on your behalf.

Jason R. Young

You are the client and have the right to expect a responsive, communicative lawyer. Demand your money back and hire someone else. Good luck

Reasons Your Lawyer is Unresponsive

There are many reasons why a lawyer wouldn’t respond to client inquiries or demands. Below are the top 9 most common causes of inefficiency and indifference:

Is a Communication Breakdown a Breach of Contract?

Yes, a communication breakdown is a breach of contract if your lawyer did not live up to your expectations.

How to Deal With Your Lawyer Who is Not Communicating

So, what should you do when your lawyer is not communicating with you? Here are a few tips.

Communication is the Key

Communication is the key to finding a great lawyer who will be able to help you get through the legal process necessary to resolve your case. This means finding one who is easy to contact and prompt in their responses. It also means finding a lawyer who takes the time to explain things in an understandable way.

Jonathan H Levy

Sounds to me like you paid for a consultation and that's all. Why on earth would you want to retain an attorney that does not return phone calls? I return all my calls as do most conscientious lawyers. You will likely be sorry if you do retain the attorney - find another attorney now, try a search here on Avvo.#N#More

Elizabeth S Conan

Have you signed a representation contract or retainer agreement with the attorney? If not, there may simply be a misunderstanding about your relationship with the attorney.

Remain Amicable

Adjusters are human. It’s understandable that you may become frustrated when you find out that they are on vacation for a week, but everyone needs time away from their jobs. You may also become agitated if they have miscalculated your total expenses or have overlooked a key item in your records.

Dealing With an Unresponsive Adjuster

The story is all too common. You’ve received an acknowledgement letter from the insurance company providing the adjuster’s contact details. You even get a call or two from the adjuster who is checking in for treatment status and injury information. You finish your treatment, compile your documents, put the demand in the mail and wait. And wait.

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