You are not obligated to maintain legal representation with any particular lawyer in any civil lawsuit. Whether it’s related to your settlement or any amount of counsel during your personal injury journey, you can choose any personal injury lawyer in Virginia to represent you at any point in the process.
However, your attorney–even after your dismissal of their services–may stake some amount of claim in your final settlement if they had a hand in shaping the resolution.
There are legitimate grounds for severing ties with your legal representative. However, attempting to part ways to dodge their fee before the settlement unfolds is not a legitimate reason and may not work in your favor.
Instead, try to proactively find an attorney whose expertise aligns with your goals. For example, you may want to replace your current representation with an attorney who knows whether or not your personal injury lawsuit settlement is taxable. The right attorney can meet your needs and help your case.
Common Reasons to Fire Your Personal Injury Attorney
There are several reasons why one would want to part ways with their current personal injury attorney, including:
Concerns of Their Legal Expertise
As per the American Bar Association, a lawyer worth their salt should exhibit “legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation” to represent their client’s cause. It’s only natural for clients to feel unsure of how skilled their attorney actually is, given that they themselves are usually not legal experts.
However, sometimes your gut feeling is right. If you find your attorney struggles to address your concerns or their advice isn’t adding up, you’ll need to make that important judgment call. If, even after discussions, your legal representative appears ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of the law on your behalf, it could be time to sever your relationship.
Poor Communication
You have the right to a responsive attorney. If your legal counsel is not responding to your calls or emails, be sure to air your grievance with a disciplinary organization.
Some law offices are understaffed, or existing staff are poorly trained. They may even be under-prepared and are waiting to respond to you until they have the case in order. Whatever the reason, a pattern of low communication is definitely cause for concern.
Poor Relationship and Collaboration
In the aftermath of hiring a lawyer, an unforeseen discord may rear its head–you and your counselor just don’t click. Navigating legal waters in the event of a personal injury is never a walk in the park, so having representation that aligns with you and your values can be important.
However, we recommend evaluating if your lawyer suffers from other shortcomings. While they may not be your best friend, this doesn’t mean they are inept at their job. A stand-offish lawyer could still be an expert on whether homeowners insurance covers personal injuries to the homeowner, for example, and represent your case professionally and effectively.
Parting Ways With Your Current Attorney
If you’ve weighed your options and decided your current representation is not a good fit, that’s okay. Whether they’re uncommunicative, struggling to keep your case straight, or you aren’t getting along, there is a professional way to cut ties.
We recommend scheduling an in-person or video call with your lawyer. Lay all the cards on the table, express your dissatisfaction, because, truth be told, they’re not in the business of providing a lackluster service. Your conversation may result in a change in their approach, or result in recommendations.
Next Steps With Coastal Virginia Law
An attorney-client relationship should be built on trust, professionalism, and rapport. If you need help separating from your current legal representation or are ready to work with a reputable team, contact Coastal Virginia Law today!