How Do You Get a New Lawyer When You Already Have One?
Despite going through a consultation and learning more about a lawyer before hiring them, it may be that the lawyer isn’t a good fit after all. This does happen occasionally, and when it does, it’s important for the client to know how to get a new lawyer. Doing this the right way can prevent headaches and make the process smoother for everyone involved. To find a new lawyer to replace the current one, go through the following steps.
Consultation With a New Lawyer
It’s typically a good idea to find a new lawyer before firing the current one. Those who need a new lawyer will want to look around a bit and have a consultation with any lawyer that seems promising. At the consultation, be sure to ask as many questions as possible to make sure the new lawyer will be a better fit. This can help make sure that there won’t be a need to change lawyers again. Ask about anything that ended up being a problem with the current lawyer to prevent having the same issues again.
Review Retainer Agreement
When someone hires a lawyer, they typically pay a retainer for the services. To do this, they’ll also have to sign a retainer agreement. This agreement basically states that the client is retaining the lawyer’s services and then details the arrangement between the lawyer and client. This should include information about what happens if the client needs to find a new lawyer to work with, so it’s a good idea to read through this carefully before making any decisions.
Notify Current Attorney
Once the client has hired a new attorney for the case and read through the retainer agreement to make sure they aren’t making a costly mistake, it’s time to notify the current lawyer of the change. This should be done in writing so there are no questions later. It is a good idea to be as polite as possible in the letter, as the current attorney’s help is needed to transfer everything smoothly to the new lawyer.
Transfer Paperwork and Files
The next step is to transfer any paperwork and files to the new attorney. The client may need to help with this, depending on the situation. Physical papers can be picked up at the previous lawyer’s office and delivered to the new lawyer’s office. If there are digital documents, there are numerous ways to transfer large files that may be helpful. Lawyers may also have a preferred way of doing the transition to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible and to prevent anything from being lost.
Though a client may go through a lot of work to find the right attorney at the beginning of a case, sometimes that isn’t enough and they may end up working with a lawyer they just don’t get along with or that isn’t handling the case the way they would like. When this happens, the client does have the option of switching to a new lawyer. It is important to go through each of the steps here to do this as smoothly as possible. If you’re ready for a new lawyer, go through each of these steps to start working with a new lawyer that may be a better fit for you and your situation.
