Why are no lawyers calling me back?

Asked by: Bailey Kozey DVM  |  Last update: November 13, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (23 votes)

There may be a good reason for your attorney going silent such as dealing with personal matters, so ask the assistant or receptionist before jumping the gun. Send an email or text. Maybe your lawyer is too busy to return your phone call or is not in a place where they can communicate over the telephone.

Is it normal for a lawyer to not call you back?

Regrettably, even the most discerning clients can hire an attorney who simply will not call them back. It's frustrating. As a general rule, give your lawyer 1-2 days to return your non-urgent phone call; very often, your lawyer may be out of the office for a half-day, whole day, or longer if he/she is in court.

Why do lawyers tell you to not talk about your case?

The Importance of Confidentiality

Do not talk to anyone regarding anything about your case without first discussing the matter with your attorney. Because of attorney-client privilege, your attorneys are ethically bound to keep any conversations between you confidential.

Why would a lawyer call and not leave a message?

Three reasons come to mind: They called you in error, realized it, and hung up rather than leaving a message. They're younger and, as a matter of custom, generally don't leave messages for anyone since caller ID shows they called and the recipient can presumably figure out that means they should call back.

Can a lawyer insist on a yes or no answer?

If an attorney demands a “yes” or “no” answer and you can not give one, let the judge know that, and explain that to do so would be misleading to the court or inaccurate. If your answer was not correctly stated, correct it immediately. If your answer was not clear, clarify it immediately.

What Can I Do If My Lawyer Never Calls Me Back? Trial Stories

18 related questions found

Should you ever talk without a lawyer?

Some bad cops might even badger a false confession out of suspects just to get the case closed. This is why we highly recommend hiring a lawyer (or at least speaking to one) before answering questions about any criminal case, even if you had no involvement whatsoever.

Does a lawyer have to do what you say?

Most, but not necessarily all, of what you tell your lawyer is privileged. The attorney-client privilege is a rule that protects the confidentiality of communications between lawyers and clients. Under the rule, attorneys may not divulge their clients' secrets, nor may others force them to.

Why do lawyers take so long to get back to you?

Your Lawyer Is Busy with Other Cases

Your attorney may not be able to respond to you right away because they're dealing with another client's negotiations or trial.

How often should you call your lawyer?

Regular communication between a lawyer and their client is key, but there is no exact number of times you should be calling your attorney during an active case.

Can a lawyer go against their clients wishes?

Attorneys owe their clients a duty of care. If this duty of care is breached, this is considered legal malpractice. An attorney can breach their duty of care by failing to listen to their client's objectives and wishes. Attorneys are obligated to consider their client's wishes.

What not to tell a lawyer?

Top 5 things you should never tell your lawyer
  • My case will be easy money for you. ...
  • I have already done the work for you. ...
  • I forgot I had an appointment. ...
  • I've already talked to a lot of other lawyers. ...
  • I don't have all my documents.

Do lawyers ever know their clients are guilty?

Truthfully, a defense lawyer almost never really knows whether the defendant is guilty or not of the charged crime. Even if he says he is guilty, he actually may not be and may be lying to take the fall for someone he wants to protect.

Is it wise to tell your lawyer everything?

Discussing all the facts of your case with honesty and truthfulness is absolutely necessary if your attorney is going to be able to negotiate a plea and/or present the best possible defense for you. Your attorney is your partner and works to get the optimum outcome for your case.

Why I don't hear from my lawyer?

While you might be waiting on your lawyer, s/he may be waiting on paperwork from the other party or a court date. The Court system can work very slowly, and your attorney should make you aware of these time frames and when you should expect to hear from them.

What do I do if my lawyer won't return my emails?

If your lawyer is consistently not responding to your emails, you should set up an in-person, phone conference, or Zoom appointment to discuss your legal matter with your lawyer. Lawyers' lives are controlled by their calendars.

Do you always tell your lawyer the truth?

While most attorneys will want to know all of the details, some may feel they can be of better service if they don't have the entire story. All of this will depend on your criminal case and who your criminal defense attorney is. It's always recommended to not waste any time if charged with a crime.

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer for months?

The court is backlogged with cases

If the court handling your case is busy, it can take many months for your case to go to trial. Therefore, your attorney may not need to be in frequent contact with you until your case gets closer to a hearing or trial date.

How long should I wait for a response from my lawyer?

In addition, you should also expect your attorney to call you back or return your emails promptly. If your attorney does not respond within one business day, they should tell you why they could not answer your question (this can include a heavy caseload or your lawyer being in court for a trial).

How often should you follow up with your attorney?

Some clients are in contact every day, and some every 2 weeks or so, but the nature of your case will somewhat dictate how often you two will be in touch. A more complex or high-conflict case usually demands more frequent communication with your attorney.

Why is my lawyers drag out cases?

Your lawyer may deliberately delay a settlement in order to procure evidence that can increase the value of the case. That evidence can show the extent of your losses or who was responsible for the accident.

What happens after you say you want a lawyer?

No, once a suspect in police custody requests a lawyer, the police are generally required to stop questioning the suspect until a lawyer is present. This is known as the "Miranda warning" and is based on the Supreme Court's decision in the case of Miranda v. Arizona.

How long are law firm callbacks?

A callback interview usually consists of four 30-minute interviews with attorneys from different departments and levels of seniority. Each interviewer will complete an evaluation form about you (including the junior associates who take you to lunch). Everyone you encounter at the firm will also evaluate you.

Are lawyers honest with clients?

Being truthful means actively making known all the full truth of a matter. Lawyers must be honest, but they do not have to be truthful. A criminal defense lawyer, for example, in zealously defending a client, has no obligation to actively present the truth.

What are the four responsibilities of lawyers?

Duties
  • Advise and represent clients in criminal or civil proceedings and in other legal matters.
  • Communicate with clients, colleagues, judges, and others involved in a case.
  • Conduct research and analysis of legal issues.
  • Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses.