Sample Letter Notifying Client of Opposing Attorney's Correspondence
Definition and meaning
A Sample Letter Notifying Client of Opposing Attorney's Correspondence is a formal document that a legal professional uses to inform their client about communications received from the opposing party's attorney. This letter typically outlines the nature of the correspondence and any claims or demands included.
Who should use this form
This form is useful for legal professionals—such as attorneys or paralegals—representing clients in disputes or cases where there is interaction with opposing counsel. It is also suitable for clients wishing to formally acknowledge and respond to communications from opposing attorneys.
Legal use and context
This letter serves an important role in legal proceedings. It ensures that clients are promptly informed about any communications from opposing counsel, which is crucial for making informed decisions about the next steps in their case. Using this form helps maintain transparency and a clear line of communication between the lawyer and their client.
Key components of the form
The Sample Letter Notifying Client of Opposing Attorney's Correspondence typically includes the following components:
- Date of the letter
- Client's name and address
- Attorney’s name and contact information
- Summary of the opposing attorney's correspondence
- Instructions for the client on how to respond
- Signature line
Common mistakes to avoid when using this form
When completing the Sample Letter Notifying Client of Opposing Attorney's Correspondence, avoid the following mistakes:
- Failing to include all relevant details from the opposing attorney's letter
- Not providing clear instructions for the client
- Using overly complex language that may confuse the client
- Forgetting to proofread for clarity and accuracy
What documents you may need alongside this one
When using the Sample Letter Notifying Client of Opposing Attorney's Correspondence, consider gathering the following documents:
- A copy of the correspondence from the opposing attorney
- Any relevant case documents that could assist the client
- Previous letters or communications regarding the same matter
Form popularity
FAQ
A lawyer is not prohibited from calling another party's attorney or another member of the party's attorney's firm as a witness, either in discovery or at trial, where such attorney may have unprivileged knowledge relevant to the case or unprivileged knowledge reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible
Prepare to write your letter. Before you begin writing, think about your audience, what you need to say, and what tone of voice you should use. Briefly explain the purpose of the letter. Make each point in a separate paragraph. Ask the recipient to do something.
But by default, communications to the other side are addressed to the designated attorney-in-charge/top-named lawyer, with cc's to everyone else. In a rare situation where you are sending a letter specifically to multiple attorneys as opposed to the other side as a whole, it's Dear Messrs. Smith and Jones, Dear Ms.
A letter to an attorney should be written in a formal letter format with the attorney's name, law firm and address at the top near the date, addressed using a salutation and signed off with a closing such as "Very Truly Yours" or "Sincerely."
Never Refer To Counsel In Argument Resist the impulse in Court to address opposing counsel directly always address through the Court. It will keep you more civil and calmer (and it's what the Court wants anyway).
Date; Address to whom the letter is sent to; The subject of the letter; Content or body of the letter. Briefly explaining why the lawyer is writing the letter and the general claim and damages. Signature.
Never Refer To Counsel In Argument Resist the impulse in Court to address opposing counsel directly always address through the Court. It will keep you more civil and calmer (and it's what the Court wants anyway).
Opposing counsel call each other 'friend' in increasingly popular SCOTUS lingo. The Supreme Court under the leadership of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. is increasingly using the word friend to refer to opposing counsel in oral arguments, a term also picked up by the lawyers appearing before the court.
What Is a Representation Letter? What? The Letter of Representations is a letter written from the Association to its accountant representing that the financial statements for the time period covered by the engagement are the responsibility of "management".
