Client Rights
Statement of Client's Rights
- 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 in 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, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin
or disability.
A copy of these rights can be found on the NYCourts.Gov website:
http://www.nycourts.gov/litigants/clientsrights.shtml.
A PDF of these rights can be downloaded from the New York State Bar Association
website:
Statement of Client’s Rights. |
