What do you do if your lawyer lies to you? Residents of New York City and the five boroughs will want to know more about what to do if a legal professional fails to uphold their duty. Issues might include lack of communication as well as dishonesty.
Your lawyer’s duties
The laws of ethics require that your lawyer be honest as well as do their job with a degree of competence. If this is not the case, you may want to consider a lawsuit.
A lawyer who lies to their client is betraying the trust that should exist between the client and their legal representative. You deserve better than that because you hired the attorney to deal with critical legal issues.
A complaint can be filed
You may file a complaint if you feel that your lawyer has misled or lied to you. The state has agencies to handle this issue, such as the State Bar Association or the State Supreme Court.
What are some of the behaviors to consider?
Your lawyer may have exhibited behavior such as misusing your money, failing to show up when expected such as at a court hearing, participating in criminal behavior or lying to you or your family. You should file a report even though it may take some time for recognition of your claim.
What are some other issues besides lies?
Billing could be another issue. Your lawyer should be sending bills that are itemized with the number of hours, the case and hourly rate. You are entitled to an honest, itemized account of the hours that the lawyer worked.
Holding them accountable
If the lawyer acted badly or engaged in malpractice, you have rights to protect your interests. You can discuss the bill before handing over any money. Other steps to take include the following:
- Speak with your attorney
- Get a second opinion
- Consider arbitration
- Fire your lawyer
- File a claim against your lawyer for malpractice
If you feel that you have been victimized by the misleading actions of your lawyer, it may be time to consult an attorney with experience in the area of legal malpractice. They may be able to help you get the restitution you deserve.