Did I hire the right lawyer and if not, can I change lawyers?
The short answer is you can ABSOLUTELY change your lawyer at any time and for any reason. If you are reading this page, you probably have concerns about whether you hired the right lawyer.
When clients call my office and express dissatisfaction with their lawyer, it’s almost always for the following reasons:
- My lawyer is not calling me back
- I have no idea what is going on with my case
- I thought I hired a partner, but a kid right out of law school is handling my case
- My lawyer doesn’t treat me with respect
- I want to go to trial and he wants me to settle now – we are not on the same page
Why does this happen? It’s simple and it’s not your fault. After an accident most people are confronted with worries about getting medical care, paying medical bills and not being able to work. As a result, they want to get a lawyer on their side quickly. However, rather than interview several lawyers, they sign up with the first lawyer they meet. Most people find a lawyer through:
- A friend or relative who used the lawyer and recommended them
- Someone at your doctor’s office who recommended the lawyer
- A random internet search
Finding the Right Lawyer to Replace Your Current Lawyer
The truth is, picking a lawyer is a lot like picking a doctor. You generally want to get a second opinion to hear how another professional would handle your situation. Also, a lawsuit is a big event in one’s life and you are going to want to feel comfortable with your representative.
To do so, make sure to meet your lawyer, either in person or at least by a ZOOM call. Is the lawyer a kid right out of law school or a seasoned professional? Is the lawyer well spoken? Are they honest and straightforward? Is their office a professional looking environment? Are the office staff pleasant and accommodating?
Then look at their website – is it impressive? Look at their “past result” pages and their “client testimonials” – have they gotten good results – do their clients like them?
Finally, ask the right questions to ask your attorney so that you know what you’re getting:
- Are you the lawyer that will be working on my case?
- Do you specialize in injury law?
- If I have a question, who will call me back and how long will it take?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine and what were the outcomes?
- Are you a trial lawyer?
Is Switching Lawyers Easy and Will it Cost me Money?
Yes, switching lawyers is very easy.
No, it will not cost you money. The initial consultation is free and your legal fee will not increase – when your case settles, some of the proceeds may go to your original lawyer for the work he performed – but that comes out of your new lawyer’s share, not your share.
Once you find a lawyer to replace your current lawyer, the new law firm will coordinate with your former attorney to take over your case and procure the physical file.
Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP has the Experience
The law firm of Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP, is frequently hired to take over personal injury cases when plaintiffs are dissatisfied with their attorneys. We have a proven record of results, we only represent accident victims and all of our lawyers have at least 25 years of experience as successful litigators. Finally, we pride ourselves on We can help you “pick up the pieces” and move forward.
Call Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP at 212-571-7171 or contact us online. We will explain how simple it is to terminate your current arrangement and transition your case to our team.
