Lawyers generally don’t come cheap in the US. Okay, maybe some do. But from what we’ve gathered, going for the cheapest lawyer on the block may cost you a quality and competent legal representation. The hourly rate for a lawyer averages anywhere between $186 and $391 in Virginia. So, when you pay for a lawyer, you expect them to make efficient use of the fees you are paying them. So, what happens if your lawyer is dragging their feet and not giving you the best possible representation? In other words, what do you do if your lawyer isn’t helping you?
The first thing is to determine the reasons that you see it that way. Ultimately, you want to base your actions on reasonable and realistic grievances and not irrationality. After you’re certain your reasons are genuine, there are several steps you can take to rectify the situation, from firing your attorney to suing them. Let’s unpack this further.
A Realistic Look At The Cause Of Your Grievance
When faced with paying a hefty fine or jail time, it’s not uncommon for emotions to spiral out of control. That’s why you first need to take a hard look at the reasons why you aren’t happy with your lawyer’s performance. It’s important to distinguish between genuine complaints and emotional irrationality before you take a step forward. With irrationality, your lawyer may genuinely be doing all they can to help but your emotions and anxiety have you thinking otherwise.
You’re well within your rights to question a lawyer’s competency if he displays a string of questionable behaviors. Failing to communicate with you is at the top of that list. If your lawyer seems to be dodging you by not answering your calls, responding to your emails, or ditching meetings, that’s a red flag. If your lawyer seems unwilling to address your complaints, you have a right to be upset.
Also, you’re allowed to take action if your lawyer is downright incompetent. You can tell by the lawyer’s failure to analyze your issue effectively, give you legal advice, act promptly or exercise loyalty by avoiding conflicts of interest. Misusing your funds, not showing up for court hearings, or displaying signs of alcohol/drug abuse are other situations that signal incompetence. Should your lawyer be doing any of these things, you can safely conclude that they aren’t helping you.
Steps To Take If Your Lawyer Isn’t Helping
If your lawyer is guilty of any of the above, it’s clear that there’s a problem, and you can do something about it. The action you take depends on the severity of the issue. Also, before taking any action, you must consider if you still want to work with the lawyer or not. If you still want their services, then the first step is to communicate with your lawyer. But this will only work if they are picking up your calls, of course.
Express your concerns, and that will hopefully lead to a better outcome. If nothing changes, you may want to get hold of your file to establish what your lawyer has already done or not done. If you happen to have serious doubts about how the lawyer is handling your case, seek a second opinion from another lawyer. Fortunately, second opinions are seldom expensive and usually take an hour or two of your time.
If you’re not entirely happy with your lawyer, you can relieve them of their duties. However, that might cost you since you need to pay your new lawyer to get up to speed with your case. You may also get a bill from your old lawyer for the work they had already done.
If the actions of your lawyer result in you losing money, you can sue them. But it won’t be easy because you’ll need to prove that your lawyer indeed messed up. If you’d like to go the lawsuit route, seek a second opinion from a fresh pair of eyes by engaging another attorney. If you can prove your lawyer was dishonest or incompetent, you can also file a complaint with the Virginia State Bar.
Conclusion
Considering that you’re likely paying an arm and a leg for your lawyer, having your legal representative act unprofessionally is the last thing you need. You expect competent representation from your lawyer coupled with effective communication and sound legal advice. Working with some of the top lawyers in Virginia Beach is the first step to meeting your needs.
Should you feel your lawyer is not helping you or giving your matter the attention and urgency it deserves, you have a right to take alternative action. Try and communicate with the lawyer where possible to air your grievances. Should nothing change, you have the right to fire your lawyer, seek alternative legal counsel, or sue them.