You should be able to trust the lawyer you hire to have the knowledge, skills, and experience to represent your best interests. Unfortunately, not all lawyers offer the same level of service. Each year, the Florida Bar receives about 8,500 complaints from clients. To ensure you hire the best lawyer for your legal representation, keep an eye out for these signs that you need a better lawyer.
1. Poor Communication
One of the most common complaints clients have about their lawyers is poor communication. This comes in many forms. It could be something obvious, such as complete silence from the attorney. If you repeatedly reach out to your attorney and hear nothing in response from them or their office, this is an issue. Slow response times can also be an issue. Timing can become crucial in certain legal situations, so a lawyer that is slow to respond can be a detriment to your legal case.
Communication issues can also be more subtle. For example, you prefer to communicate through phone calls. However, your attorney prefers to communicate through emails. Both of you could be good communicators but will miss the mark with each other because you have different preferred communication styles.
2. Lack of Billing Transparency
Your lawyer should be able to explain their billing practices clearly. Hiring legal representation should protect your best interests, not make you go broke. Clients are often surprised by the amount of time and resources that go into legal representation. This can lead to dissatisfaction with their representation. However, a conversation with the lawyer or their administrative team should be able to clear up any misunderstandings.
Lawyers use three common billing methods: flat fee, hourly, and contingency. Before hiring a lawyer, they will tell you which method they use and the cost. Then when you are charged, you should receive an invoice that clearly outlines the costs incurred. This could include hours worked, court fees paid, or supplies used.
3. Lack of Confidence
It is unethical for a lawyer to promise or guarantee a particular outcome. However, your lawyer should be able to instill confidence in their ability to represent you effectively. They shouldn’t go so far as to “sell” you on their services. After all, you don’t want to feel like they are a used car salesman. If you don’t feel confident or your lawyer doesn’t sound confident, it’s time to consider new representation. Similarly, if you feel like your lawyer is constantly selling their services, you may want to consider why they are selling so hard.
4. Unprofessional
Your lawyer should attend meetings, hearings, and trials on time and be adequately prepared. They should meet all deadlines. A Lack of professionalism is not just frustrating. It could compromise your legal representation. If your lawyer lacks professionalism, it could be one of the many signs that you need a better lawyer.
5. Differing Opinions
You hire a lawyer to give you legal advice. However, this does not mean you must blindly follow everything they say. An experienced lawyer will provide you with advice and guidance based on their past representation of clients. A high-quality lawyer will also understand that each client is unique. So what worked for one client may not be feasible for another.
For example, your lawyer may push you to accept a low settlement offer. If you want to go to trial instead, you and your lawyer are not on the same page. This could lead to conflict as you and your attorney disagree on how to approach the case.
6. Constantly Changing Support Staff
There should be some consistency in the support staff that you interact with. It is not a good sign if you speak with someone different every time you call or visit the office. A high turnover rate indicates bad working conditions or poor hiring practices. Both situations create a negative environment that could impact your legal representation. Unhappy employees are not as productive or attentive as they could be. This could show itself as missed details or deadlines. In addition, high turnover means new people are continually working on your case. This is ineffective representation, as each new person will have to start over with learning the details of your situation.
Feel Confident With Your Legal Representation
If you are experiencing these issues with your current lawyer, you are seeing the signs that you need a better lawyer. You should feel confident in your lawyer’s ability by having effective communication. A lawyer that is not professional, prepared, or on the same page as you cannot provide you with the best possible representation. Do not be afraid to seek out new legal representation to find a lawyer that is a better fit.
Schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.
