When you believe that your lawyer is acting unethically, it may be time to report him or her to the bar. However, if you believe that the conduct is not serious, you may not need to do so. You can try to resolve the problem on an informal basis through the attorney’s office, or through the bar association.
If you are having a minor complaint with your attorney and do not want to file a formal complaint, you can call the Attorney-Client Assistance Program.
You can also contact the public liaisons of your state’s bar association if you have a problem with your lawyer. These people represent the public and do not speak for either party in trying to solve the problem.
Another way to report your lawyer is to send him or her a letter that states your concern and asks the attorney to contact you within a certain time frame. This can be as little as one day if you are having difficulty communicating with the attorney.
Your letter should be written in a clear and concise manner, and it should include the time, place, and reason for your concern. If you have any evidence of unethical conduct, include that as well.
If you are having a fee dispute with your attorney, you can also submit a complaint through the State Bar’s fee dispute resolution program. The State Bar’s fee dispute resolution program does not have the authority to waive legal fees. Recommended this site truck accident lawyer .
The process to investigate your complaint can take from six months to 18 months, depending on the type of ethical violation and the level of investigation required by the ethics committee. During the investigation, you may be contacted to provide further evidence.
At the end of the process, if the investigation determines that there is sufficient evidence to support your complaint, you will be notified and you can decide whether to appeal the decision or accept it. The Disciplinary Review Board will review your complaint and may decide to discipline your lawyer.
A public reprimand or probation may be appropriate in most cases. If the violation is more serious, the lawyer can be suspended from practice or disbarred.
If the misconduct is not considered to be a violation of the Rules, a private reprimand might be sufficient in most cases. The length of probation varies from state to state, but generally, it takes six months or more for a lawyer to go through the formal process and receive his or her final disciplinary action.
It is important to note that if you have filed a complaint, you cannot retaliate against the person who sent you the letter or filed the complaint. Moreover, if you have filed a complaint against the same lawyer, you should consult with a lawyer who specializes in ethics before filing any further action.
