How do I complain about a not good lawyer in NY?

Asked by: Mrs. Marcelina Mills  |  Last update: March 7, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (64 votes)

To complain about a lawyer in NY, contact the Attorney Disciplinary/Grievance Committee for the judicial department where the lawyer works (find them on the NYCourts.gov website), file a fee dispute with the local bar association or the NYS Fee Dispute Resolution Program, or for theft, contact the Lawyer's Fund for Client Protection (nylawfund.org); complaints must be in writing, detailed, and include supporting documents.

How to expose a bad lawyer?

To report lawyer misconduct, contact your state or local bar association's disciplinary board. Complaints typically require a written statement detailing the issues, such as tardiness or neglect, supported by any evidence like court records or communications.

How to make a complaint against a lawyer in NY?

Complaints against attorneys cannot be made anonymously. They must be in writing and be signed by the complainant. They may be made on a complaint form (PDF) available on this site or may be made in the form of a letter to the appropriate attorney grievance committee.

What is the most common complaint brought against lawyers?

The most common complaints against lawyers center on neglect, poor communication, and billing issues, often stemming from lawyers failing to keep clients informed, missing deadlines, or providing unclear and excessive fees, with neglect and lack of communication frequently cited as the top concerns by bar associations and legal ethics groups. These issues can escalate from simple oversights to formal ethics violations, affecting client trust and case outcomes. 

How to hold a lawyer accountable?

To hold a lawyer accountable, first try resolving issues directly, then document everything, and if misconduct persists, file a formal complaint with your state's Bar Association or disciplinary agency for ethical violations, or sue for legal malpractice if you've suffered financial harm due to negligence, with state Client Security Funds potentially reimbursing theft. 

Bar Complaints - Should you or Shouldn't you?

21 related questions found

What are examples of unethical attorney behavior?

Unethical attorney behavior includes conflicts of interest, mishandling client funds, neglect (missing deadlines, poor communication, abandonment), dishonesty (lying, misleading the court, falsifying evidence), overbilling, breaching confidentiality, incompetence, and sexual misconduct with clients, all of which violate professional duties and can harm clients and the justice system. These actions erode trust and can lead to discipline, malpractice suits, or disbarment, with serious misconduct like fraud or criminal activity leading to severe consequences. 

What is the 8.4 rule?

Model Rule 8.4(g) declares it misconduct for a lawyer to "engage in conduct that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or socioeconomic status in ...

What are the signs of a bad lawyer?

Signs of a bad attorney include poor communication (unanswered calls/emails), missed deadlines, unpreparedness, unethical behavior (encouraging lies, mishandling funds), vague or excessive billing, making unilateral decisions, and pressuring you to settle without good reason. A good lawyer should be communicative, ethical, competent, and advocate effectively for your best interests, not just their convenience. 

What is the B word for lawyer?

The "B word" for a lawyer, especially in British and Commonwealth systems, is barrister, referring to a lawyer who specializes in courtroom advocacy, while solicitor is the other main branch for general legal advice and document preparation, contrasting with the American term attorney for any lawyer. A barrister is often called in by a solicitor to argue cases in higher courts.
 

What are the top 3 reasons for complaints?

The 5 Top Reasons Customers Complain

  • Poor Customer Service. The top reason why customers complain is due to slow, rude, or sloppy customer service. ...
  • Sneaky Up-Sells. Another strong reason why customers complain is due to unexpected costs. ...
  • Low Quality Goods or Services. ...
  • Poor Customer Experience. ...
  • Not Providing Contact Details.

What is an example of lawyer negligence?

Common lawyer mistakes include failing to meet deadlines, lack of preparation or experience, and failing to learn all relevant facts. Those errors can significantly harm a client's case and lead to a legal malpractice claim.

How to deal with a bad lawyer?

What To Do if Your Lawyer Is Not Helping You Before You Decide to Fire Them

  1. Ask Questions. As with any relationship, communication is key. ...
  2. Get a Second Opinion. ...
  3. Request Your File. ...
  4. Voice Concerns. ...
  5. Consider Firing Your Lawyer. ...
  6. Also consider Getting a Mediator. ...
  7. Seek Arbitration. ...
  8. File a Complaint.

Where can I find complaints against a lawyer?

To look up attorney complaints, you need to check the website of the State Bar Association in the state where the lawyer is licensed, using their attorney search or public discipline portal to find public disciplinary records, as the American Bar Association (ABA) provides links to these state disciplinary agencies. Search by the attorney's name to find license status, public reprimands, suspensions, or disbarments, with some states like California and Arizona offering online search tools. 

What two conditions must be met to show that counsel was ineffective?

The two-pronged test for ineffective assistance of counsel, established in Strickland v. Washington, requires a defendant to prove two things: first, that their attorney's performance was deficient (fell below an objective standard of reasonableness), and second, that this deficient performance prejudiced the defense, meaning there's a reasonable probability the outcome would have been different without the errors, to overturn a conviction or sentence. 

How to get money back from a bad lawyer?

If you are disputing your attorney's fees, you may seek to resolve the dispute through a fee arbitration process. Information about fee arbitration is available online or by calling 800-843-9053. OCTC can seek an order of restitution if an attorney has misappropriated client funds.

What is a lousy lawyer?

Many different traits and warning signs of bad lawyers fall under ethical misconduct, but some specific examples that breach professional standards are: Encouraging you to lie, report false information, or provide misleading testimony. Falsifying or altering evidence. Mishandling retainer funds.

What is a word for a shady lawyer?

pettifogger. A sneaky, underhanded lawyer is a pettifogger. If your neighbor hires an unscrupulous quack to sue you, you might call his attorney a pettifogger.

Which is more powerful, an attorney or a lawyer?

Now that we've cleared things up, here's the bottom line: an attorney has more legal power than a non-licensed lawyer. While both may have studied the same material in law school, only one is qualified to actively practice law, represent clients, and offer legal advice.

What is an unethical lawyer called?

Synonyms. STRONG. cheater chiseler mouthpiece pettifogger scammer trickster. WEAK. ambulance chaser crooked lawyer.

What is the most common complaint against a lawyer?

The most common complaints against lawyers center on neglect, poor communication, and billing issues, often stemming from lawyers failing to keep clients informed, missing deadlines, or providing unclear and excessive fees, with neglect and lack of communication frequently cited as the top concerns by bar associations and legal ethics groups. These issues can escalate from simple oversights to formal ethics violations, affecting client trust and case outcomes. 

Which lawyer wins most cases?

There's no single lawyer universally recognized for the most cases won, as records are hard to track and definitions vary, but Gerry Spence is famous for never losing a criminal case and a long civil win streak (until 2010), while Guyanese lawyer Sir Lionel Luckhoo holds a Guinness World Record for 245 successive murder acquittals, making them top contenders for different aspects of "most wins". 

How do you hold a lawyer accountable?

To hold a lawyer accountable, first try resolving issues directly, then document everything, and if misconduct persists, file a formal complaint with your state's Bar Association or disciplinary agency for ethical violations, or sue for legal malpractice if you've suffered financial harm due to negligence, with state Client Security Funds potentially reimbursing theft. 

What is considered unethical behavior by an attorney?

Unethical attorney behavior involves violating professional conduct rules, including neglecting client cases, mishandling funds (commingling), conflicts of interest, overbilling, dishonesty (lying, misleading statements), and failing to communicate. It can also extend to personal misconduct like discrimination, harassment, or serious criminal offenses that undermine the justice system, ranging from minor breaches of trust to major fraud or abuse of process. 

What does rule 36 mean?

"Rule 36" refers to different legal and procedural concepts depending on the jurisdiction, most commonly Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 36 (Requests for Admission), used in U.S. courts to narrow issues by asking parties to admit facts or document genuineness, but it can also mean Navigational Rule 36 (signals to attract attention in maritime law) or other specific rules for case management, clerical errors, or tax credits. Its core purpose is to streamline trials by establishing undisputed facts. 

What are 5 examples of serious misconduct?

Here are 7 examples classed as workplace misconduct

  • Theft. This may sound obvious, but theft isn't limited to financial fraud like embezzlement or money laundering. ...
  • Sexual harassment. ...
  • Abuse of power. ...
  • Falsifying documentation. ...
  • Health and safety breaches. ...
  • Damage to goods or property. ...
  • Drug and/or alcohol use.