Entering the courtroom is intimidating, and it’s essential you have the right support system to help you through a hearing or trial. It’s crucial to choose the right lawyer for your circumstances so that you can depend on them during the process.
Unfortunately, there are a few lawyers that do not care about your wellbeing. They want to get hired, get paid and get out of court as quickly as possible. Luckily, there are ways to spot an ineffective lawyer before it’s too late.
Tardiness
Whether it’s filing notices or appearing in court, a lawyer should always be prompt. If they are consistently late meeting with you or filing notices with the court, they are not being professional or putting your interests first. If a lawyer is consistently submitting important documents late, you may be able to use that as evidence of legal malpractice in an appeal.
Poor communication
Lawyers typically juggle multiple clients and balance communication between all their clients, so it’s reasonable for a lawyer to return phone calls or emails in a day. However, if it’s taking days or weeks for you to hear from your lawyer, your lawyer is not considering your interests.
If you are struggling to communicate with your attorney, you should express your concerns through an email or phone call. Let them know you will need to find a new lawyer if it is a busy time in their schedule.
Shady billing
The stereotype of lawyers often relates to their billing and how they will bill you by the minute. In reality, most lawyers are very transparent about their billing structure. However, some lawyers will try to bleed their clients dry. If you see fees that do not make sense and your lawyer have no credible reason for them, you have every right to fire them.
Lack of empathy
For first-time clients, going to court is a terrifying experience. Having a lawyer who cares about your case and interests will only put your case in a better light. It should not matter if you are guilty or not; your lawyer should convey that they care about your situation. If your lawyer does not seem to care or empathize with you, it might be best to find a lawyer who can.
It’s important to note that not every lawyer is great for every case. You shouldn’t hire a real estate lawyer for a criminal case or a traffic violation, so do your research and take your time to find a lawyer that represents your needs.