Is Your Lawyer Competent? Important Considerations

Nobody knows the law perfectly, and nobody knows all the laws that exist throughout the United States. For that reason, we have individuals who study the law and how various laws work with respect to its region and circumstance. There are many reasons why one would need a lawyer. From personal injury, crime, financial disputes, to company creation and general entrepreneurship protection, there is an overwhelming amount of applications for a lawyer’s skills and knowledge. Because legal matters are typically sensitive and require expertise, we place our trust in those who do what we cannot. There are certain steps one can take, though, to ensure your legal concerns are in good hands.

What a Lawyer Should Do

A lawyer should be your legal representative and establish that relationship with you first and foremost. In a relationship, there are two parties with unique roles. For a lawyer, that includes handling the legal processes and always acting in the client’s best interest, regardless of what the situation might be.

A lawyer can reasonably be expected to offer advice, and to keep you updated on your case. That includes what they think regarding the case, where they think they are in regards to the case’s progress and development, as well as keeping you informed of deadlines and upcoming events. You can also expect — and should expect — your lawyer to be competent. For clients hiring a legal representative, their responsibilities are to be transparent with the attorney and to gather and provide useful information.

Understanding Competence

Competence is the fulfillment of a legal representative’s basic obligations. Ensure that your lawyer knows the laws and has the legal knowledge to represent you. It may be best to talk with your attorney about their experience in your particular field of concern. Any attorney should be able to disclose their proficiency and time in that field.

Ensure also that your representative is thorough and prepared. This includes being in communication, ensuring that all legal documents needed have been provided, and all materials have been analyzed and properly taken into consideration in your case. Once again, an attorney should be able to discuss with you any inquiries or concerns you might have regarding upcoming dates and events.

What to Do if Your Lawyer is Incompetent

If your lawyer has failed to uphold their duties, they can be considered incompetent counsel. Remember that no human is perfect, and mistakes can be made in good faith. However, routine or frequent errors, failure to understand the law, or a failure to be prepared are grave signs of a lawyer’s incompetence.

If you find yourself at odds with your attorney, there are three major options to explore. You can fire your lawyer early on if there are signs of incompetence. Further down the line, you can file a complaint, and if damages occurred, you can sue for malpractice.

Questions or Concerns Regarding Competency? Call Our Office Today

Trusting a lawyer can be daunting, and for many, it may seem a given to wholeheartedly trust a lawyer without question. There are instances in which poor competency has cost clients heavily or has led to further litigation through malpractice. The best way to avoid those taxing series of events is to ensure your lawyer’s competency before you hire them to take on your case. At SAC Attorneys LLP, we believe that you deserve confident and competent legal representation. For any questions regarding lawyer competency, please contact us today at (408) 716-1790.