The first thing to do is reach out to the lawyer. Try by phone first and if that fails by email. Send a follow up request. The second thing to do is send a demand letter, return receipt requested, specifying the actions you will take if the lawyer does not respond.
Usually, 30-45 days is considered reasonable unless there is pending litigation and the client needs the file transfered to another attorney. Then the time limit can be much shorter--as little as 5 days in one case. If your attorney is dragging his/her feet, you should consider filing a complaint with the CA Bar.
Complaints about attorneys should be lodged with the Legal Practice Council. Attorneys fall under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Legal Practice Council. Complaints must be lodged with the relevant office of the Legal Practice Council.
The general rule in South African law is that communications between a lawyer and their client, as well as documents prepared by lawyers for their clients, may not be disclosed without the client's consent.
The establishment of the attorney-client relationship involves two elements: a person seeks advice or assistance from an attorney; and the attorney appears to give, agrees to give or gives the advice or assistance.
For example, if you've missed filing deadlines or had court requests denied because your attorney failed to communicate, you likely have a claim for legal malpractice.
It is not enough to say “well, we didn't have sexual intercourse” or “we didn't get to know one another in the Biblical sense.” Kissing a client, even if the attorney exercises self-restraint with respect to any further sexual activity, runs afoul of California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.8.
Professional Ethics: Most legal ethical codes strongly discourage or outright prohibit lawyers from engaging in romantic relationships with clients during representation. This is to maintain professional boundaries and ensure that the lawyer-client relationship is based solely on the client's legal needs.
Professional Ethics: Most legal ethical codes strongly discourage or outright prohibit lawyers from engaging in romantic relationships with clients during representation. This is to maintain professional boundaries and ensure that the lawyer-client relationship is based solely on the client's legal needs.
Courts typically allow lawyers to represent family members, but in some cases, they may deny it if conflicts of interest are likely to arise.