Finding out that your case cannot proceed because something went awry can leave you feeling uncertain about the future. When you know the type of treatment to expect from a legal professional, you can more easily identify malpractice.
Your attorney should advocate for your well-being and keep you informed on the progress of your case. A good legal professional will act ethically and with your best interest in mind at all times.
Proactive and timely
Court cases have a lot of moving parts and require a timely response to inquiries. The responsibility of facilitating communication between the courts and you rest with your attorney. A delayed response may mean your case comes to a standstill or a judge dismisses it entirely. This outcome can compromise your resources and your well-being. Depending on the nature of your case, prolonging the situation could cause emotional distress as well.
Your attorney should update you regularly throughout the development of your case. According to the Federal Trade Commission, your attorney should provide a communication timeline for you so you know when to expect updates. If you have concerns, you should feel comfortable addressing them. If aspects of your case require modification, immediate implementation of alternative solutions should follow.
Ethical and professional
Regardless of the nature of your case, your attorney handles sensitive information about you. This information should remain confidential at all times. If this information gets into the wrong hands, you could claim malpractice.
You should expect your attorney to act professionally and ethically. Confidential information requires careful handling. Likewise, discussions about sensitive content regarding your situation and experiences require respect and the highest degree of professionalism. In regards to your formal relationship with your attorney, you should expect them to act with integrity at all times.