What is the lawyer-client relationship like?

WHAT IS THE LAWYER-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP LIKE?

When you have selected a lawyer, you should take certain steps to ensure a smooth-working relationship. As a client, you should:

-	Tell the truth and disclose all known facts about your legal matter, even those facts which you think are damaging to your case. A lawyer cannot effectively represent you unless you relate all of the facts involved in your case.
-	Bring copies of all documents, letters and other correspondence relating to your legal matter when you meet with your lawyer. Provide your lawyer with a list of all names, addresses, and telephone numbers of persons involved in the case. These steps will avoid unnecessary delays.
-	Ask your lawyer to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case. Ask your lawyer what outcome, or outcomes, you can reasonably expect from your case.
-	Take your lawyer's advice seriously. Your lawyer is a professional. If you do not have confidence in your lawyer's ability to make sound legal decisions about your case, you should probably seek a different lawyer.
-	Keep your lawyer fully informed about new developments in your case. Save all documents relating to your case and provide copies to your lawyer on a timely basis. Do not let your lawyer be surprised later by a disclosure you should have made earlier.
-	Ask your lawyer to keep you fully informed about new developments relating to your case. Request that copies of all documents and correspondence prepared on your behalf by your lawyer be sent to you.
-	If you do not understand something that your lawyer says, ask for an explanation.
-	Do not sign any agreement until you fully understand its provisions.

Your lawyer, in turn, should take certain steps to ensure a smooth working relationship with you
and to effect the best possible result for your legal matter. Your lawyer should:

-	Disclose to you in a timely fashion any new developments relating to your legal matter and how those developments might be handled.
-	Return all phone calls made by you.
-	Keep you fully informed about the impact of any actions that are contemplated.
-	Furnish you with a written fee agreement (required by the Rules of Professional Conduct) and disclose to you in a timely fashion any unanticipated costs relating to your legal matter.
-	Bill you periodically and promptly for fees paid and services rendered.
-	Understand your goals and expectations for resolving the matter. Discuss these goals and expectations to ensure they are reasonable.
-	Listen to you and be attentive to your concerns.