Statement of
Client's Rights |
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You are entitled to be treated with courtesy and
consideration at all times by your lawyer and the other lawyers and
personnel in your lawyer's office.
- You are entitled to an attorney capable of handling your
legal matter competently and diligently, in accordance with the highest
standards of the profession. If you are not satisfied with how your matter
is being handled, you have the right to withdraw from the attorney-client
relationship at any time (court approval may be required in some matters
and your attorney may have a claim against you for the value of services
rendered to you up to the point of discharge).
- You are entitled to your lawyer's independent
professional judgment and undivided loyalty uncompromised by conflicts of
interest.
- You are entitled to be charged a reasonable fee and to
have your lawyer explain at the outset how the fee will be computed and
the manner and frequency of billing. You are entitled to request and
receive a written itemized bill from your attorney at reasonable
intervals. You may refuse to enter into any fee arrangement that you find
unsatisfactory. In the event of a fee dispute, you may have the right to
seek arbitration; your attorney will provide you with the necessary
information regarding arbitration in the event of a fee dispute, or upon
your request.
- You are entitled to have your questions and concerns
addressed in a prompt manner and to have your telephone calls returned
promptly.
- You are entitled to be kept informed as to the status of
your matter and to request and receive copies of papers. You are entitled
to sufficient information to allow you to participate meaningfully in the
development of your matter.
- You are entitled to have your legitimate objectives
respected by your attorney, including whether or not to settle your matter
(court approval of a settlement is required in some matters).
- You have the right to privacy in your dealings with your
lawyer and to have your secrets and confidences preserved to the extent
permitted by law.
- You are entitled to have your attorney conduct himself
or herself ethically in accordance with the Code of Professional
Responsibility.
- You may not be refused representation on the basis of
race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national
origin or disability.
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Statement of
Client's Responsibilities |
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Reciprocal trust, courtesy and respect are the hallmarks of the
attorney-client relationship. Within that relationship, the client looks to
the attorney for expertise, education, sound judgment, protection, advocacy
and representation. These expectations can be achieved only if the client
fulfills the following responsibilities: |
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- The client is expected to treat the lawyer and the
lawyer's staff with courtesy and consideration.
- The client's relationship with the lawyer must be one of
complete candor and the lawyer must be apprised of all facts or
circumstances of the matter being handled by the lawyer even if the client
believes that those facts may be detrimental to the client's cause or
unflattering to the client.
- The client must honor the fee arrangement as agreed to
with the lawyer, in accordance with law.
- All bills for services rendered which are tendered to
the client pursuant to the agreed upon fee arrangement should be paid
promptly.
- The client may withdraw from the attorney-client
relationship, subject to financial commitments under the agreed to fee
arrangement, and, in certain circumstances, subject to court approval.
- Although the client should expect that his or her
correspondence, telephone calls and other communications will be answered
within a reasonable time frame, the client should recognize that the
lawyer has other clients equally demanding of the lawyer's time and
attention.
- The client should maintain contact with the lawyer,
promptly notify the lawyer of any change in telephone number or address
and respond promptly to a request by the lawyer for information and
cooperation.
- The client must realize that the lawyer need respect
only legitimate objectives of the client and that the lawyer will not
advocate or propose positions which are unprofessional or contrary to law
or the Lawyer's Code of Professional Responsibility.
- The lawyer may be unable to accept a case if the lawyer
has previous professional commitments which will result in inadequate time
being available for the proper representation of a new client.
- A lawyer is under no obligation to accept a client if
the lawyer determines that the cause of the client is without merit, a
conflict of interest would exist or that a suitable working relationship
with the client is not likely.
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