Skip to main content

Spotting a Crooked Lawyer: When to Trust Your Gut and Run!

Hiring an attorney is a big step, especially when you're dealing with a stressful legal issue. You're putting your trust, your money, and often your future into someone else's hands. Most lawyers are ethical and dedicated, but sometimes, you can end up with a bad apple. So, how do you spot the warning signs that your attorney might not have your best interests at heart?

Here are some red flags to watch out for:

1. The "Too Eager" Attorney Who Suddenly Changes: Beware of the lawyer who seems overly enthusiastic about your case at first, promising the moon and stars, only for their behavior to change drastically once you've retained them. This shift, from highly engaged to distant or dismissive, can be a sign that they were more interested in getting your retainer fee than genuinely representing you.

2. The Communication Black Hole: You've hired them to represent you, but suddenly your calls aren't returned, emails go unanswered, and you're left completely in the dark about your case's progress. A good attorney understands that communication is key. If your lawyer consistently ignores you, that's a huge red flag. You deserve to know what's happening.

3. The "My Way or the Highway" Ultimatum: While your attorney is the legal expert and should advise you on strategy, they should also listen to your concerns and goals. If your attorney threatens to withdraw from your case simply because you disagree with their proposed strategy, or if they refuse to discuss alternatives, it's a sign of a problematic relationship. Your attorney works for you, not the other way around.

4. When Your Attorney Sues YOU for Fees (Using "Quantum Meruit"): "Quantum meruit" is a fancy legal term that essentially means an attorney is asking a judge to determine how much you "deserve to pay" for their services, often when there isn't a clear fee agreement or if you've parted ways. If your attorney takes you to court seeking payment based on "quantum meruit," it's a clear sign your relationship has gone south. While this is a legitimate way for lawyers to pursue unpaid fees, it definitely indicates a severe breakdown of trust and is a warning that you might have hired the wrong person.

5. The Demand for Total Secrecy (A Blanket "Under Seal" Request): You might hear your attorney mention "litigating under seal." This generally means that certain specific, sensitive documents in your court case will be kept confidential from the public (like trade secrets or private medical information). This is a legal tool to protect genuine privacy.

However, be very, very wary if your attorney pushes for a "blanket" request to seal everything related to your civil action, barring the public from all proceedings and documents.

Courts prefer openness: In the U.S., court cases are generally public to ensure fairness and transparency. Sealing an entire case is highly unusual and requires very strong legal reasons.
What are they hiding? A blanket request for secrecy raises serious questions. Is there something embarrassing, damaging, or unethical that one side (or even your own attorney) doesn't want the public to know?
Loss of Leverage: Sometimes, the threat of public exposure can be a powerful motivator for the other side to settle. If your case is completely hidden, you might lose that important bargaining chip.
If your attorney suggests sealing your entire case from public view, demand a crystal-clear explanation. Ask what specific reasons they will give the judge to justify hiding everything, and how this impacts your ability to speak about your experience later. This is a moment to seriously consider getting a second opinion from another lawyer.

6. Trust Your Gut Feelings & Keep Detailed Records: This is perhaps the most important advice. Throughout your legal matter, pay close attention to your attorney's demeanor and what they say. Take detailed notes of every conversation, including dates, times, and key points discussed. And most importantly, listen to your gut. If something feels off, if you feel pressured, dismissed, or uncomfortable, don't ignore that feeling. It's often your intuition telling you something is wrong.

In summary, staying informed and being proactive are your best defenses against a bad attorney. If you notice these red flags, don't hesitate to seek a second opinion or consider whether it's time to find new representation. Your legal matter is too important to leave in the wrong hands.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

15 Gang Members Convicted on Conspiracy, Weapons Possession, Firearms Trafficking Charges Case Follows Recent Convictions of 137th Street Crew and East Harlem Narcotics Trafficking Organization

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the results of the investigation and prosecution of one of Central Harlem’s most destructive criminal street gangs, referred to as “ONE TWENTY-NINE” or “GOODFELLAS/THE NEW DONS,” which terrorized the neighborhood surrounding West 129th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues. Thirteen members of the gang have previously pleaded guilty to importing, possessing, and using firearms over the course of the conspiracy.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY VANCE ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT OF SIX SUBCONTRACTING COMPANIES AND THEIR OWNERS IN MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR FRAUD

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictments of six subcontracting companies and their owners for colluding with LEHR CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION (LEHR) in a multimillion dollar scheme that defrauded numerous construction clients over the past decade. See, related story. The announcement comes one day after DA Vance announced LEHR and four executives were indicted on crimes including Enterprise Corruption, the New York State Racketeering law. GODSELL CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION and its owner ARTHUR GODSELL are charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree. JT ROSELLE LIGHTING, INC. and its owner JAMES ROSELLE, LIBERTY CONTRACTING CORPORATION and its owners GEORGE FOTIADIS and KEVIN FOTIADIS, PJ MECHANICAL and its owner JAMES PAPPAS, SUPERIOR ACOUSTICS, INC. and its owner KENNETH MCGUIGAN, and SWEENEY & HARKIN CARPENTRY and its owner MICHAEL HAYES are charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree.[1] "The defendants in this case cheated clie...

Mortgage Fraud

Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau announced today the indictment of 13 individuals and a mortgage origination company for perpetrating over $100 million in mortgage fraud over a four-year period in the New York City metropolitan area. In addition, 12 individuals have already waived indictment and pleaded guilty to felonies relating to their participation in the mortgage fraud scheme. The indictment charges 13 individuals and the mortgage company, AFG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., with enterprise corruption, grand larceny, scheme to defraud and conspiracy involving 19 fraudulent mortgage transactions. The defendants include the principals and a number of employees of the mortgage company, as well as bank employees, appraisers, and three attorneys. Two other attorneys are among the defendants who already pleaded guilty. The crimes charged in the indictment occurred between June 2004 and April 2009 with the bulk of the fraudulent closings occurring from mid-2005 through the end of...