Whether you employ an attorney to negotiate a business contract, defend you in a tough divorce, or file a malpractice case against your doctor, you must be able to trust him.
A good attorney-client relationship is crucial for navigating litigation successfully, as it is typically unpleasant and can take years to settle. Unfortunately, too frequently, attorney and client expectations are not established at the outset of this partnership. In this blog, we will discuss the essential expectations of the attorney.
What You Should Expect From Your Attorney?
Ethical Conduct
This should go without saying and is the foremost important thing for an attorney to follow. There are far too many situations where this expectation is not satisfied. Your attorney should always practice ethically and follow the rules of professional conduct, which include, at a minimum:
– Keeping separate financial accounts for client and attorney money; – Always acting within the bounds of the law;
– Keeping the client’s trust and avoiding becoming involved in situations that might lead to a conflict of interest;
– Making only truthful and accurate statements.
Knowledge of the Law
While every lawyer must attend law school and pass the bar exam to practice, these are the absolute minimums. Because of the complexity of our modern society, every field of law has become a specialty. Whether it’s defending against a traffic ticket, evicting a tenant, issuing stock in a corporation, or applying for MassHealth benefits, no one attorney can know it all, and you probably don’t want to pay them to learn. Furthermore, while legislation and regulations are available in law books and online, how they are enforced in reality might differ significantly from what is written. It can only be determined via familiarity with the agency or tribunal that is enforcing the law.
Clear Communication
Communication issues wreak havoc on many sorts of relationships, including those between an attorney and a client. If you don’t understand what’s going on in your litigation, you may conclude that you have terrible counsel. On the contrary, your attorney may be doing an excellent job. In either scenario, a lawyer who fails to convey case progress will inevitably increase, rather than decrease, your worry. If your attorney is not receptive to your concerns, you might consider seeking another legal counsel for your case.
Fees and Counsel
Whether your attorney takes your case on a contingency fee basis or an hourly basis, the agreement must be formed and in writing at the start of the engagement. If you are paying an hourly fee, you can expect to get an invoice detailing the time spent on your case and the amount charged, ideally monthly. Your attorney should also describe the expected expenses of your case, such as expert witness and filing fees. Along with it, whether the attorney expects you to pay the costs upfront or whether he would advance part or all of the costs until the case is concluded.
Ward Johnson Law Firm has a team of experienced lawyers in Grand Forks who are certified and licensed to represent clients in state, federal, and judicial courts.