Client-Focused Legal Service

Responsiveness

You have the right to have your calls, letters, questions, and concerns addressed promptly.

Clients often complain other lawyers never return their calls. Too often, a client is left in the dark, unaware of how their matter is proceeding. Everything a lawyer does on your behalf has the potential to affect the outcome of your matter. To effect your life. It is common sense that a lawyer should make sure you are regularly updated on how your case is going. We will promptly address any concerns or questions about the case you may have.

Participation

You have the right to be present at all meetings and court appearances related to your matter, unless a court orders otherwise.

You need to understand the details of your legal situation. Therefore being present during meetings and court appearances is essential to informed decision making. Expect to be updated before meetings and Court hearings. Expect to provide us with the most up to date information

Deference

You have the right to have your goals respected by your lawyer, including when and whether to settle.

A lawyer’s job is to help you make the best possible decisions, not to make them for you. It is your life, your case, and your future that are being dealt with. However, you do not have the right to dictate how every element of the case is handled. Lawyers must use their best judgment on matters of legal strategy and must be professional and courteous to the court and other parties. They also must be treated respectfully by their clients because they are not allowed to represent clients with whom they cannot work or who do not trust them.

Confidentiality

You have the right to confidentiality from your prospective lawyer, the lawyer you hire, and people who work for your lawyer, both during and after the engagement.

Attorney-client confidentiality is one of the most sacred doctrines in the law. It allows you to talk with your lawyer everything on the understanding that it will be kept in confidence. Without it, you might be reluctant to divulge critical information. That would limit our ability to represent you effectively. However, the attorney-client privilege only covers certain types of communications and can be lost under certain circumstances. Your lawyer knows the rules that need to be followed.

Access

You have the right to have access to sufficient information to allow you to participate meaningfully in your matter, including access to all materials provided to your lawyer or prepared by your lawyer, during and after the representation.

Everything that happens in your case could affect the outcome. Therefore, your lawyer should provide you with all memos and court filings in your case. Unless you are fully informed, it is impossible for you to take an active role in our representation of you.

Dismissal

You have the right to fire your lawyer for any reason at any time. When things don’t go well, and the relationship with your lawyer is beyond repair, you should feel free to fire your lawyer. This includes if we fail to uphold any of the commitments we made you for client-focused legal service. Court approval might be required in certain instances and you may have to pay for the service your lawyer has already provided.

Representation Agreement

You have the right to receive a written engagement agreement outlining the scope and objectives of the representation.

It is customary in most professions, especially when a lot of money is involved, that a client is provided upfront with a written estimate detailing the nature of the services. We agree to provide that. We want it to be clear and in writing what the client expects from the lawyer and what the lawyer expects from the client.

Fee Agreement

You have the right to have a written fee agreement describing how fees and expenses will be computed, as well as the terms of payment.

A smart lawyer would advise their client to get any business agreement in writing. Written agreements allow the parties to the agreement easy reference to the terms of their contract and are easier to enforce it against each other. As a smart lawyer (I think, at least) I advise you to have our agreement in writing and will prepare a written engagement letter, including an agreement on fees, before work begins.

Itemized Bills

You have the right to receive itemized bills on a regular basis describing the specific service performed, the name and title of the person who performed them, and, if you are being billed by the hour, the hourly rate and time spent by each person on each task.

Without such information, it is impossible not only for you to know what services are being performed and at what cost, but also for you to challenge your bill if you feel you’ve been incorrectly charged for services.

Lawyer Background

You have the right to be informed of the education, training, and relevant experience that the lawyer working on your case.

Choosing a lawyer can be a daunting proposition. That is why it is essential that lawyers be as forthcoming as possible about who they are, where they went to school, where they are admitted to practice law, and their experience with the kind of cases you need assistance with. You have a right to know if your attorney has ever been disciplined by the State Bar.