QUESTION
Can I fire my attorney for a second time?
Asked on Jul 21st, 2012 on Personal Injury - Michigan
More details to this question:
When I first met with my lawyer he seemed like he was on my side and agreed that I had a case. Since then despite my reports and exams he seems to now be siding with the other side. The doctor has also changed his position. When I first consulted with my lawyer he reviewed my information and was very supportive. Now a few months later he says he has reviewed the same reports but feel as though I am no longer disabled. Not sure what to do but I am certain I do not trust anyone anymore.
31 ANSWERS
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Anchorage, AK
at
Buchholdt Law Offices
Update Your Profile
Yes, of course.
Answered on May 28th, 2013 at 10:31 PM
Yes.
Answered on May 28th, 2013 at 10:31 PM
Bruce Arthur Plesser
Yes.
Answered on May 24th, 2013 at 2:51 AM
Personal Injury Attorney serving Pacific, MO
at
Melvin G. Franke
Update Your Profile
Yes.
Answered on May 24th, 2013 at 2:46 AM
Child Custody Attorney serving Malvern, AR
at
Law Office of Gregory Crain
Update Your Profile
Yes.
Answered on May 24th, 2013 at 2:40 AM
Answer: Yes, you can fire your attorney for the 3rd, 4th and 5th time as well, but probably not the 6th time. Okay, I'm kidding; you can fire an attorney as many times as you hire them. But that might not change your chances of winning.
Answered on Aug 23rd, 2012 at 2:20 PM
Ronald A. Steinberg
You can do anything you want. Firing a competent lawyer because you don't like what he says is not wise.
Answered on Aug 23rd, 2012 at 2:20 PM
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney serving San Francisco, CA
at
Bertrand, Fox & Elliot
Update Your Profile
You can always substitute counsel, if you do not feel your attorney is advocating for you. The information provided here is general in nature, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:56 PM
Tax Attorney serving North Smithfield, RI
at
The Law Offices of Mark L. Smith
Update Your Profile
You can fire your attorney as many times as you like.But bare in mind that the attorney will receive a portion of your compensation. You should perhaps think that your lawyer is trying to be truthful with you.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:55 PM
Motor Vehicle Accidents Attorney serving Lincoln, NE
at
Lapin Law Offices
Update Your Profile
You are free to discharge your attorney for any reason you want. If a lawsuit is on file, the attorney would have to ask the Judge to be permitted to withdraw from your case. Judges in civil and workers' compensation cases routinely grant this request especially if it is because you want to discharge your attorney. If no lawsuit is on file, as soon as you notify your attorney that you are discharging him, he no longer is your attorney. If you are going to discharge your attorney, I would do so in writing so both of you would have written documentation of this. Your attorney may be entitled to be reimbursed for his costs and expenses as well as a "fee" for the time spent working on your case. This is partially controlled by law as well as the fee/ retainer agreement you signed when you hired him. The law says your attorney would be entitled to reimbursement and money for these items, which would be paid upon the resolution of your case. However, the fee agreement can override the law and your attorney may not be entitled to anything if that is what the fee agreement says. I cannot comment on the merits of your claim or "who you should trust" as you do not provide any information about your case. Before you discharge your attorney you may want to review the fee agreement to determine what, if anything, your attorney would get if you discharge him. In addition, without necessarily saying you are considering discharging him, you may want to sit down with him and ask for a detailed explanation as to why his opinion has changed. Was it because your doctor changed his position? Did he see something in your medical records that he did not see the first time. Your attorney may have a good explanation as to why his opinion changed that you are not aware of. You also should discuss what your case might be worth, if anything, based on his "changed opinion."
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:54 PM
Real Estate Attorney serving Meadow Vista, CA
at
The Meadow Law Group
Update Your Profile
Yes, you may fire your attorney, but be sure to review your retainer agreement to ensure you understand your rights and responsibilities under that agreement.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:54 PM
Lawyers are in the service industry and are no different than plumbers or electricians. If at any time you wish to seek an opinion from another attorney, you are certainly free to do so.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:54 PM
Dennis P. Mikko
Your lawyer is working for you so yes, you can fire him. You could also consult with another attorney in the nature of obtaining a second opinion. As a side note, sometimes during the course of a case, as more facts become known, the conclusions reached change. This does not indicate you have a bad lawyer, just an honest lawyer who is giving you an honest assessment of your case throughout the proceeding.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:53 PM
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney serving Syracuse, NY
at
Andrew T. Velonis, P.C.
Update Your Profile
A lawyer can only evaluate a case based on the evidence available. As a case develops, so does the analysis of that evidence. Also, he may be evaluating you as a potential witness on your own behalf. He may be concerned that you do not want to hear that he lacks confidence in your ability to testify convincingly. It's not a matter of "siding" with the defendant, it's a matter of evaluating the probability of success should the case go to trial.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:53 PM
Real Estate Attorney serving Williamstown, NJ
at
Law Offices of Slotnick & Schwartz
Update Your Profile
You can fire your attorney anytime and for any reason.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:53 PM
Litigation Attorney serving Olean, NY
at
Black, Lyle & Habberfield, LLP
Update Your Profile
You can fire any attorney or doctor at any time and they can do the same to you. That being said, if your doctor and your attorney are both saying that the case is not as good as it initially seemed, maybe it isn't.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:53 PM
You can fire your attorney anytime you want to and as many times as you want to.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Small Businesses Attorney serving Livonia, MI
at
Klisz Law Office, PLLC
Update Your Profile
You can fire your attorney anytime, but it is difficult to find a new one to take on an old case.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Bankruptcy Law Attorney serving Madison Heights, MI
at
Able Legal Services, PLC
Update Your Profile
Yes. You are allowed to obtain another attorney. He or she, may have an attorney lien on any funds recovered, for the work they have already done.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:52 PM
1 Award
You can fire any attorney at any time but you would not want to do so if it jeopardized your case.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:51 PM
You may fire your lawyer; however, he may assert a lien on your case.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:51 PM
Employment Law Attorney serving Beverly Hills, CA
at
Dordick Law Corporation
Update Your Profile
Your right to change lawyers never ends.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Personal Injury Attorney serving Beverly Hills, CA
Partner at
Engelman Law, APC
In the State of California, you are free to fire your attorney at any time.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Personal Injury — Plaintiff Attorney serving Taylor, MI
at
Downriver Injury & Auto Law
Update Your Profile
The Michigan Rules of Professional Responsibility permit a client to fire an attorney at any time.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Facts are facts and an attorney has an obligation to honestly advise a client whether the client likes the advice or not. Talk to your lawyer face to face about your concerns.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:49 PM
Personal Injury Attorney serving New York, NY
at
Rothstein Law PLLC
Update Your Profile
You can always change lawyers.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:49 PM
Civil Litigation Attorney serving Gadsden, AL
at
Ford, Howard & Cornett, P.C.
Update Your Profile
A client can fire his/her attorney. If you lack confidence in your attorney, get a new attorney.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:48 PM
Personal Injury Attorney serving Richmond, VA
at
Blank & Marcus, LLC
Update Your Profile
You should terminate his services and get a lawyer with whom you are comfortable.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 4:48 PM
Yes you can fire him. However you'll be on the hook to pay him for his services . . . even if you don't like him or his work.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Plaintiff Animal Bites Attorney serving Missoula, MT
at
Bulman Law Associates PLLC
Update Your Profile
The issue is probably whether are you totally disabled or only partially disabled which can be very serious if you can't return to the kind of work you know how to do or simply like doing. Your current lawyer may be correct in warning you to be realistic. You might ask a second attorney to review your medical reports and give a second opinion about whether you should fight, settle or just go back to work.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2012 at 2:00 PM