Telltale Signs That Your Lawyer Incompetent


When we hire people to help us with our legal troubles, we assume they’re the right people for the job. After all, they advertise their services and have gone to law school. However, some lawyers are undoubtedly more experienced than others. Some are also far more highly regarded in their local community. If you’ve signed on with a lawyer but are questioning their competence, some of these signs might point to your gut feeling being correct.

They Won’t Share Education Details

You might not outright ask your lawyer, ‘what is a juris doctor?’ when trying to learn more about their education. However, you are within your rights to ask questions about their qualifications and schooling. After all, you want to be confident that you’ve hired the right lawyer, and details like where they went to law school should be easy for them to share. If their answers are vague or you can’t find their name on the Offices of the United States Attorneys website, it might be time to find a new lawyer.

They Struggle to Answer Basic Case-Related Questions

Your entire reason for hiring a lawyer might be so you can be guided through the legal process by the experts. You want a legal professional who understands the laws related to your unique situation since you might not be knowledgeable on the subject yourself. If you’re asking questions about your case and the related laws and aren’t getting helpful answers, this might make you question their competence.

They’re Not Communicating

The average legal case can be stressful. The possible outcomes might affect your life and livelihood, and you want to be well-informed about what’s happening in your case every step of the way.
 
The most competent lawyers will create a standard communication pathway for your peace of mind. This might be phone calls, emails, or communication through their legal team. If your chosen lawyer is avoiding your calls and emails or is non-communicative in other ways, it might be time to start exploring legal assistance elsewhere.

They Make Bold Promises

There is nothing wrong with your lawyer being confident in your case reaching a successful conclusion. However, reputable lawyers know not to make promises. They can’t say that you’ll win your case or receive a specific sum of money. The best lawyers are honest, even if it means hearing truths that make you nervous or upset.

They’re Vague About Billing

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to legal fees. Many personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means they get paid when they help your case reach a successful outcome. However, other lawyers charge hourly, flat, retainer, and statutory fees.
 
You deserve to know how much you’ll pay for legal services before the bills pile up. Ask these questions before signing on with your lawyer. You then have time to look elsewhere if you’re not satisfied with their answer.
 
There’s every reason to believe that the lawyer you hire to represent you in a legal situation will do their job to a high standard. However, that’s not guaranteed. If you can relate to these signs above, now might be the right time to explore alternative representation. 

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Posted - 10/09/2023