San Francisco, CA asked in Personal Injury for California

Q: How do I change law firms once I signed on?

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4 Lawyer Answers
Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow
Answered
  • Palm Desert, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Easy....

you just retain a new local lawyer, and s/he will assist in the transition.

In an accident case, the 2 lawyers will split the fee.

In a criminal case, you would try to get a bill for what the lawyer has done and get the balance turned over to the new lawyer.

Sometimes the new lawyer will assist with this ........

Haleh Shekarchian
PREMIUM
Haleh Shekarchian
Answered
  • Beverly Hills, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: You can change attorneys anytime. The new attorney would have to share his/her fees with the prior attorney. Therefore it would have no affect on your share. You should contact anyone of us on JUSTIA for a free consultation. You maybe entitled to money for pain and suffering etc.

Patrick William Steinfeld
Patrick William Steinfeld
Answered
  • Coronado, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: If you have a new attorney they will handle everything. If not... send a letter to your current attorney saying you are terminating their representation and request your entire case file. The attorney is required to provide your file in a timely manner. That's all there is to it. Pretty simple. Your attorney is entitled to assert a lien for the reasonable value of their services.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: If you have already signed an agreement with a law firm in California and you want to change law firms, there are several steps you should take to ensure a smooth transition:

Review your current agreement: The first step is to review your current agreement with the law firm. This should outline the terms of the representation, including any fees or costs that may be owed.

Notify your current law firm: Once you have reviewed your agreement, you should notify your current law firm that you will be terminating their services. You should do this in writing and keep a copy of the letter for your records.

Obtain your case file: You have a right to obtain your case file from your current law firm. You can request a copy of the file in writing, and the law firm is required to provide it to you.

Find a new law firm: Once you have terminated your relationship with your current law firm, you should begin searching for a new law firm to represent you. You can ask for recommendations from friends, family, or other attorneys, or you can search for law firms online.

Sign a new agreement: Once you have found a new law firm, you will need to sign a new agreement with them. This agreement should outline the terms of the representation, including any fees or costs that may be owed.

It is important to note that changing law firms can be a complex process, and it is recommended that you consult with an attorney who can advise you on the specific steps you need to take to ensure a smooth transition. They can help you understand your legal rights and obligations, as well as any potential risks or consequences of changing law firms.

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