A close relationship with an attorney can help clients get better case results. Lawyers who fail to communicate may not understand their clients’ wishes and clients may not receive crucial case information. This communication failure can also result in missed deadlines and settlement offers.
If your attorney has stopped responding to your message, you may wonder if they have committed legal malpractice. Learn what to do if your lawyer stops responding to you and what actions you can take to get compensation.
How quickly should lawyers respond?
Lawyers have an ethical duty to represent their client’s best interests and promptly answer messages. While most attorneys are not available 24/7, they still should respond to clients in a reasonable time frame.
According to The American Bar Association (ABA) model rules of professional conduct related to communication, lawyers must:
· Inform clients of decisions and circumstance related to their case
· Consult with clients about how they will accomplish their legal goals
· Respond to client requests for information
Understanding a failure to communicate
Before contacting a malpractice attorney, you should attempt to contact your attorney multiple times by phone, email and other communication platforms you have used to reach him or her. If your lawyer still does not respond, you can send him or her a letter explaining the communication problems. If at this point you do not hear anything from your lawyer, you should consult with a legal malpractice attorney.
A knowledgeable legal malpractice attorney can review the circumstances of a case and attempt to communicate with your unresponsive lawyer. The malpractice attorney can then guide you through the legal process and work to get your compensation.