We pride ourselves on providing the best care and guidance for all of our clients, and although others try, not all law firms can say the same. You are well within your rights to seek new counsel if you are unhappy with the service you are receiving, but there are some steps you need to follow. Here’s how you can get a new attorney if the first one isn’t working out.
Why Do You Want a New Attorney?
Before deciding to fire your attorney, you should ask yourself why you want to part ways in the first place. If you feel like your needs are being ignored, it might be time to seek new counsel. That said, you should ask yourself these questions before moving on to the next step:
- Do I want a new attorney because of their actions, or because my case isn’t going as I had hoped?
- Will a new attorney change the problem, or is it likely to continue with a different attorney?
- Will changing attorneys be detrimental to my criminal case?
If you have a valid concern, move on to the next step. If you’re just frustrated that you might not be able to plead to a lesser charge, changing attorneys likely won’t solve the problem.
Talk With Your Lawyer
The next thing you should do is talk to your attorney and let them know how you feel. After all, maybe your attorney is just unaware that you are unhappy with their services. Schedule a meeting or give your attorney a call and voice your concerns. For example, maybe you are unhappy with the lack of updates on your case, but your attorney didn’t want to provide every little update because doing so comes out of your retainer. Stress that you are unhappy with your service, and let them know that you’re considering seeking new counsel if things don’t change. Odds are your attorney will be more than willing to change their habits to accommodate your wishes.
Moving On
If your concerns continue to fall on deaf ears, it’s time to find a new attorney. The first thing you’ll want to do is review the original contract you’ve signed. This way you won’t be surprised by anything when you terminate the contract. If you are confused by the language in the contract, bring a copy to the new attorney you plan on hiring and have them look it over. There may be a fee for this.
Next, hire your new attorney before firing your old attorney. This will help minimize any delays, and you’ll know where the necessary files need to be sent. Communicate with your old attorney about who will get the case files to your new counsel.
When you are ready to fire your attorney, send a certified or registered letter to the attorney that clearly states that you are ending the contract, and that your attorney should stop working on your case immediately. You don’t need to go into specifics why you’re firing them – after all, hopefully you followed the above step and shared your concerns prior to terminating the relationship.
Also in the letter, be clear about getting your case files to your new counsel, set a deadline for passing over the files, and ask for an itemized bill listing all the past and pending fees so you can sort out the money situation. If you have any further questions, talk to your new legal representation.
