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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 is 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.
New York State Unified Court System
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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:
- 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.
New York State Unified Court System
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