What to Do If Your Lawyer Ignores You
As a client, trusting your lawyer is essential. They’re supposed to guide you through legal matters and offer sound advice when you need it most. However, I found myself in a frustrating situation when my lawyer started ignoring my calls and emails. I wasn’t sure how to handle it at first, but over time, I learned that this is more common than you might think, and there are steps you can take to resolve the situation. If you find yourself in the same boat, here’s what I’ve learned about what to do when your lawyer isn’t responding.
1. Review Your Agreement and Expectations
The first thing I did when I realized my lawyer wasn’t responding was review the agreement we had in place. Most lawyers and clients have a retainer agreement that outlines the terms of service, including communication expectations. I went back to my contract to see if there were any guidelines about response times or methods of communication. This helped me understand if there were any reasonable limits to my expectations. For example, some lawyers may only communicate during certain business hours, or there may be delays if they’re handling a particularly busy case load.
Reviewing this helped me assess whether my concerns were valid or if I was just feeling frustrated by normal delays. If you don’t have an agreement that specifies communication expectations, now might be a good time to ask your lawyer to clarify these details. Knowing what’s reasonable for both parties can help avoid misunderstandings.
2. Send a Polite Follow-Up
After I realized the delay wasn’t necessarily a breach of contract, I decided to give my lawyer the benefit of the doubt. I sent a polite follow-up email, reiterating my questions or concerns, and gently asking for an update. I found that being professional and courteous was important because it sets a positive tone for resolution. In the email, I made sure to be clear about why I needed an update and asked for a specific time frame for a response.
Sometimes lawyers get overwhelmed with cases, and they might miss a communication. A friendly nudge can often bring things back on track. I’ve found that sending a brief, clear, and polite follow-up message can prompt a response without creating unnecessary tension.
3. Check for Communication Gaps
After my follow-up email didn’t get a response, I started to question whether there might have been a communication gap. Was my email lost? Had I missed a phone call or important notice from my lawyer? I decided to double-check my spam folders, voicemail, and even my lawyer’s office to confirm that there wasn’t a mix-up in communication. Sometimes, lawyers work with assistants or paralegals, and the message might have gotten lost in the shuffle. I took the time to call the office directly and leave a message for my lawyer to ensure I wasn’t just waiting for an email response that never came.
If you feel that there’s been a miscommunication, it’s important to verify that you’ve used the correct contact information and that your messages are being received by the right person. A quick call to the office or a message through a different platform may resolve the issue.
4. Consider Escalating the Situation
If I still wasn’t getting a response, I knew it was time to take more direct action. I contacted the law firm’s office manager or a senior partner to express my concerns. I was calm but firm, explaining that I had been waiting for an extended period without hearing back from my lawyer and that I needed to move forward with my case. This is where things got interesting—when I reached out to the office manager, the response time drastically improved. I realized that sometimes escalating the situation to someone else in the firm can help speed things up.
Law firms often have multiple lawyers and staff members, so if one person isn’t responding, it might help to reach out to someone else. Be professional but assertive, and explain that you value the services of the firm but need more communication to feel comfortable with the process.
5. Understand the Role of the Lawyer in Your Case
Sometimes, lawyers are just busy with other cases, and their delays don’t mean that they’re intentionally ignoring you. In my case, I realized that the lawyer I was working with was handling a large case load and had fallen behind on some communications. Once I understood that, I took a step back and reminded myself that my case wasn’t the only one they were managing.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should be ignored. Your lawyer still has a duty to keep you informed about important updates in your case. If you feel like you’re not getting the attention you deserve, it’s important to ask for an explanation. Sometimes, adjusting your expectations—while still holding your lawyer accountable—can help reduce frustration. In cases like mine, knowing that the lawyer is just dealing with other obligations helped me adjust my expectations without feeling completely neglected.
6. If All Else Fails, Consider Changing Lawyers
After trying all of the above methods and still not getting a reasonable response, I realized that I might need to consider changing lawyers. I had given this lawyer ample time to respond and communicate, but the lack of professionalism and responsiveness made me question whether I could trust them with my legal matters. Switching lawyers can feel like a big step, but if the relationship isn’t working and your lawyer isn’t fulfilling their responsibilities, it might be the best course of action.
Before making the decision to change lawyers, I researched other options in my area and reached out to a few potential candidates. I also made sure to review their client reviews and ask about their communication practices upfront to ensure that I wouldn’t face the same issues again. Switching lawyers is not ideal, but your case is too important to leave in the hands of someone who isn’t committed to keeping you informed and progressing the work.
