Just as Buffalo personal injury attorneys must post a list of Client Rights and abide by them, New York State has also set forth a list of Client Responsibilities. These responsibilities are intended to ensure a good attorney-client relationship and help your attorney best represent you.
Just as the attorney must treat a client with respect, the client is expected to treat the attorney and staff with courtesy and respect. Clients also must be completely honest and truthful with the attorney. Without understanding the full story, an attorney cannot properly analyze how to proceed with a case.
A client must honor the fee agreement with the lawyer and maintain contact with the attorney, including providing any changes in contact information as soon as possible. A client has the right to withdraw from the attorney-client relationship, but must honor any resulting financial commitments. While clients should expect the prompt attention of their attorney, they should understand that attorneys have other clients who also need their lawyer’s attention.
Finally, clients must understand that an attorney must operate within the bounds of the law. If there is a conflict of interest or a client’s case is found to be without merit, the attorney can refuse to represent the client. An attorney can only agree to legitimate legal objectives and cannot advocate for a result that is unprofessional or contrary to the law.
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