Q: How long should it take for a lawyer to respond to his clients questions and inquires?
My lawyer NEVER returns voice mail or my written letter(s). What should I do?
A:
Within a reasonable time. It doesn't necessarily mean an instantaneous response - an attorney could be in court or deposition when a voice-mail arrives. But within the same day is considered reasonable by many to return calls. If someone is very busy or has pressing circumstances, the following day could be reasonable. For letters, it could depend on the complexity of the letter and whether it involves research. What should you do? That's a personal decision and it would be difficult for someone to advise you what to do based on the brief facts at hand. Good luck
Tim Akpinar
Flavio Van Boekel agrees with this answer
1 user found this answer helpful
A: A good lawyer will generally get back to you within 24 to 48 hours however you never know the reason why he didn't. He could be in trial or various other reasons so keep trying and if not satisfied you can always hire a new lawyer
Flavio Van Boekel and Tim Akpinar agree with this answer
2 users found this answer helpful
A: The lawyer should be responsive to your questions within 24-48 hours after you left a message. If the lawyer is not responsive, perhaps he or she is on vacation and unable to return. However, if after a reasonable time your lawyer never returns your calls he or she may be violating the rules of professional conduct under a 'communication with clients' section.
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
7 users found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.