Just as sick people put all their trust in medical doctors, clients also put much faith in their lawyers. This is because the legal problems you have to make you look for attorneys seriously. Clients have rights when being represented in personal injury law cases. But what right do you have to those offering you legal services? If you only know your rights, the law world would sound a bit simpler to you. Lawyers have an obligation to follow certain rules and regulations, depending on the state in which they live. In Alaska, an attorney means someone who has complied with the eligibility requirements and as such is fit to be entrusted with judicial and professional matters and should assist members of the public according to the Alaska Bar Association.
Your Rights From The Lawyer
An Anchorage person injury lawyer represents clients to get quality justice. He/she is supposed to uphold certain rules in accordance with the Alaska rules of professional conduct. Therefore, your rights include:
A lawyer should be competent, diligent, and prompt: A lawyer’s services should conform to the law requirement; the law procedures should not be used to intimidate or harass you. Again, you should be treated with respect. You should be consulted on the best ways to ways to accomplish your objectives. Your lawyer is also not supposed to take a complicated case in which he/she knows little about that area, meaning, they can’t claim to be an expert in your case and then fail to deliver the best.
Confidentially: A lawyer should preserve the client’s confidences and secrets. You are more likely to seek legal help because you know your case will be treated with confidentiality and thus will be private. A lawyer should maintain confidence except where disclosure is allowed by a professional rule of conduct.
Undivided attention and loyalty: Your lawyer should not have a conflict of interest when legally representing you. He/she should have independent professional judgment.
You should not be denied legal representation because of race, ethnic background, religion, disability, or sex.
Staying informed: You deserve the right to know what is happening to your legal representation process. You should request and receive any paperwork that may give you sufficient information to help you participate in a meaningful way.
Reasonable fee: It’s your right to be charged a fair price for services offered. Your personal injury lawyer should explain how the costs are calculated, the method and frequency of billing. This should also be made available to you in a written form. If you find unreasonable fees, you should not enter into the attorney-client relationship. In the event of a fee dispute, your lawyer will be entitled to provide the required information regarding arbitration.
Your lawyer should respect your decision to settle or not settle your matter. But in some cases, the court procedures concerning settlement must be followed.
He/she should give an honest opinion about the likely consequences that may arise from your conduct. And unless you terminate the relationship, your lawyer should legally represent you until the end of all matters or until you receive the compensation you deserve.
The lawyer should pursue your case despite obstructions, opposition or personal inconveniences
Your Responsibility To The Lawyer
You can expect to find the best out of your lawyers if you also honor your responsibilities to them.
Respect and trust: Just like you expect to be respected by your lawyer, the attorney-client relationship also demands that you treat your lawyer with respect. Additionally, trust your lawyer that he/she is capable of giving you sound judgment and that he is competent in his legal services. If your lawyer gets to know your case is without merit, respect his/her decision to avoid your case.
Lawyer’s commitments: You lawyer has previous professional obligations that may result in having less time to represent you. As such, you may be free to look for another lawyer or communicate on the best way forward.
Notify your lawyer of any change promptly for smooth cooperation. You can do this by email, phone calls, or any other agreed mode of communication.
Maintain contact with your lawyer to ensure a suitable working relationship by keeping constant communication. Communication is the key to maintain an attorney-client relationship as he/she is supposed to inform you of any major decision.
It would help if you did not push your lawyer to act in such a manner that’s not permitted by the rules of professional conduct. He/she should only deal with whatever is lawful to justify your cause.
You should allow your lawyer to determine the scope of the representation if he/she is supposed to do so by the state’s rules. For instance, your lawyer may find it deem fit to have your case settled in court instead of having a settlement.
