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You and Your Attorney |
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STATEMENT OF CLIENT'S RIGHTS |
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1. 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. |
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2. 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). |
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3. You are
entitled to your lawyer's independent professional judgment
and undivided loyalty uncompromised by conflicts of
interest. |
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4. 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. |
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5. You are
entitled to have your questions and concerns addressed in a
prompt manner and to have your telephone calls returned
promptly. |
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6. 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. |
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7. 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). |
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8. 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. |
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9. You are
entitled to have your attorney conduct himself or herself
ethically in accordance with the Code of Professional
Responsibility. |
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10. 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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1. The client is expected to treat the lawyer
and the lawyer's staff with courtesy and consideration. |
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2. 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. |
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3. The client must honor the fee arrangement
as agreed to with the lawyer, in accordance with law. |
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4. All bills for services rendered which are
tendered to the client pursuant to the agreed upon fee
arrangement should be paid promptly |
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5. 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. |
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6. 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. |
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7. 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 |
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8. 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. |
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9. 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. |
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10. 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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